Bacolod backs PHP 4B waste-to-energy project

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — The Sangguniang Panlungsod approved during its regular session Wednesday, April 29, Mayor Greg Gasataya’s request for authority to enter into an agreement with a private firm for a PHP 4 billion waste-to-energy project in Barangay Felisa.

The council authorized Gasataya to sign a lease agreement with Forza Development Corp., which will develop the facility within the city’s sanitary landfill under the Bacolod Integrated Recycling and Technological Hub Waste-to-Energy Industrial Zone.

Under the agreement, the city will provide the land, while FDC will fund and build the facility.

The city is expected to benefit from real property taxes, revenue shares from power generation, and job creation for local communities.

City Legal Officer Karol Joseph Chiu said the project could position Bacolod as a leader in waste-to-energy initiatives in the Philippines.

“We will be the first, probably in the Philippines. So, this shows a strong commitment for Bacolod City to establish the WTE,” he added.

In January, the city government and the Department of Energy strengthened their push for sustainable urban development with the signing of a memorandum of agreement for the waste-to-energy project, alongside the launch of the “Solar Solutions for Government: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy in Public Buildings” program.

The project is expected to convert waste into sustainable power and could generate up to 15 megawatts at the Bacolod Integrated Recycling and Technology Hub, a 25.7-hectare city-owned facility beside the existing 5-hectare sanitary landfill in Barangay Felisa.

The Bids and Awards Committee endorsed the project to the mayor on April 14 after awarding it to FDC as the highest calculated responsive bidder.

The company offered an annual lease of PHP 1.01 million.

The project is intended to support sustainable waste management while creating economic opportunities, especially for residents near the sanitary landfill.

Recently, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Environmental Management Bureau commended the city’s sanitary landfill in Barangay Felisa, recognizing it as a model facility not only in the Negros Island Region but also across the country.

The DENR-EMB cited the landfill’s best practices, including soil covering, slope stabilization, benching, leachate treatment, recirculation processes, regular monitoring, and seasonal gas emission testing, all of which are strictly implemented by the city.

Gasataya expressed gratitude for the recognition and commended stakeholders and key departments for their vital role in enhancing the city’s solid waste management program.

The Bacolod Sanitary Landfill is equipped with complete operational components and has a capacity of 900 metric tons per day.

It is the only landfill in the region operating under a public-private partnership scheme.

Established in 2010, the facility’s Cell No. 4 is currently at its operational peak.

While Cell No. 4 was originally projected to reach full capacity by February 2026, extensive engineering interventions have extended its lifespan until the completion of Cell No. 5.

Cell No. 5 is 75% complete and is targeted for completion in the second week of June, according to the landfill operator.

While efforts are focused on extending the facility’s life, various initiatives are also underway to reduce the city’s residual waste.

To further support the city’s goal of extending the landfill’s operational life, residents were urged to strictly practice waste segregation at the source.