The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) is moving forward with plans to implement waste-to-energy technology in the Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone as part of its goal to promote sustainable and smart development.
BCDA is conducting a feasibility study for a proposed waste-to-energy facility in Tarlac, aimed at improving power supply for the region’s locators and investors. This initiative is seen as a sustainable alternative to landfills, which have become increasingly insufficient as waste generation continues to rise both locally and globally.
“The BCDA is committed to adopting innovative and eco-friendly solutions to support the sustainable development of our properties. Waste-to-energy technology will modernize solid waste management and promote green energy, helping transition Clark towards a circular economy,” said BCDA President and CEO Joshua M. Bingcang.
According to the World Bank’s 2018 report, What a Waste 2.0: A Global Snapshot of Solid Waste Management to 2050, global waste generation is projected to reach 3.4 billion tonnes annually by 2050. Carbon emissions from waste treatment and disposal, largely from landfills, amounted to 1.6 billion tonnes in 2016 and are expected to rise to 2.6 billion tonnes by 2050.
“With waste-to-energy technology, the BCDA can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions while addressing the energy needs of the Clark community,” Bingcang added.
The BCDA’s study will cover key aspects of the project, including site selection, as well as technical, environmental, social, legal, financial, and economic assessments for the facility’s design, construction, operation, and maintenance.
Once the study is finalized, the BCDA plans to open the project for public bidding, which will be conducted in accordance with Republic Act 11966, or the Public Private Partnership Code of the Philippines, and its implementing rules and regulations.
This initiative aligns with the Marcos administration’s efforts to improve solid waste management and complements the Kalinisan sa Bagong Pilipinas Program, which encourages investments in projects focused on waste management and ecological sustainability.
