THE anti-toxic waste group EcoWaste Coalition on Tuesday said Waste-to-Energy Incineration (WtE) is not the answer to floods in the country. They also said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s recent statements on the matter could do more harm to the environment.
“WtE technology relies heavily on burning materials, including plastic, paper and organic matter, which could otherwise be diverted from the waste stream through proper recycling and composting. WtE facilities are notorious for producing high carbon dioxide emissions and other harmful pollutants, often exceeding those of coal plants,” the group said.
The group said that flooding in the country was caused by “poor urban planning, deforestation, clogged waterways and inadequate drainage systems — not waste buildup alone.”
“The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has received billions of pesos annually for flood control projects. In fact, in 2021 alone, the government allocated P101 billion to DPWH for its flood management programs. Yet, floods persist,” EcoWaste stated.
Asking for accountability for the funds and evidence of tangible progress in improving drainage, the group stressed the “focus on ensuring transparency and efficacy in flood control programs, not resorting to quick fixes like WtE, which can lead to more destruction of the environment.”
They also cited Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong’s example of abandoning this method, citing his reasons “including environmental risks and misalignment with sustainable waste management policies. The local government unit concluded that WtE is not a viable long-term solution for Baguio’s waste issues and instead opted to prioritize proper waste management.”
They stated that the national government should follow Baguio City’s example and “similarly abandon the idea of establishing WtE facilities. Instead, the government should invest in more realistic and safe solutions to address flood issues. We need to strongly call for reduction of plastic production and pass bills that strengthen upstream solutions at the national level.”
The group called on the government to be more mindful in crafting policies and consider the consequences and effects of their decisions on the people and the environment.
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