The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), under Secretary Raphael P. M. Lotilla, has voiced its support for the country’s first large-scale waste-to-energy (WTE) facility in New Clark City, Tarlac. The Php4-billion project aligns with the Marcos administration’s push to strengthen environmental protection, expand clean energy use, and promote sustainable urban development nationwide.
A recent consultation brought together DENR officials, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), the project consortium, and academic representatives to discuss the initiative. The facility is planned to have a capacity of 12 megawatts (MW) and process up to 600 metric tons of municipal solid waste per day.
Designed as a modern waste management solution, the WTE facility aims to reduce landfill dependence by 80–90 percent through controlled thermal treatment. This method addresses long-term landfill scarcity while providing local government units with a structured and environmentally managed disposal system.
Using proven WTE technology with more than 70 years of global operational experience, the facility will generate clean electricity for the Luzon grid, alongside other recoverable outputs. It will also feature state-of-the-art air pollution control and flue gas treatment systems to ensure compliance with international environmental standards. Similar facilities operate safely and reliably in countries including Japan, Sweden, Germany, China, and Singapore.
DENR noted that, with strict adherence to environmental safeguards, modern WTE systems can form a key component of a science-based solid waste management framework.
BCDA President and CEO Joshua M. Bingcang highlighted the project’s broader significance. “This project directly contributes to the national agenda of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. by strengthening environmental protection, supporting energy security, and introducing modern waste management systems. It demonstrates how infrastructure development can deliver long-term environmental and economic value for the country.”
The project is also expected to generate more than 300 jobs during its two-year construction phase, with sustained employment over its projected 25-year operational lifespan.
Once operational, the WTE facility will further position New Clark City as a strategic growth center anchored on modern infrastructure and responsible environmental management.
