DOE gathers stakeholders to discuss Waste-to-Energy bill

PASIG CITY — The Department of Energy (DOE), in coordination with the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO), hosted a multistakeholder forum to advance dialogue on the proposed Waste-to-Energy (WTE) Bill—an effort to tackle both solid waste management and sustainable energy generation.

Held at the Marco Polo Hotel, the forum brought together national government agencies (NGAs), local government units (LGUs), civil society organizations (CSOs), academic institutions, environmental advocates, project developers, and private sector representatives to examine the technical, environmental, and regulatory dimensions of the proposed legislation.

Discussions covered key elements including environmental safeguards, monitoring protocols, technological viability, and availability of waste feedstock for power generation.

“Our collective goal is not to find a simple compromise, but to achieve a comprehensive understanding, one that integrates robust scientific evidence, learns from the successes and failures of international best practices, and respects the unique realities of Philippine communities, particularly the fate of our informal waste workers,” said Undersecretary Rowena Cristina Guevara.

The WTE Bill seeks to reduce the country’s reliance on sanitary landfills (SLFs) by prioritizing WTE facilities that convert residual solid waste into usable energy. These facilities will become part of the country’s energy mix, aligning with national goals for cleaner energy sources and reduced pollution.

Undersecretary Mylene C. Capongcol praised the broad participation in the discussions and emphasized the government’s intent to ground the legislation in science and inclusive consultation.

“This forum is part of a continuous consultation process. We aim to generate evidence-based recommendations that can guide legislators in crafting workable solutions. Solid waste management is not just about waste reduction; it’s about capitalizing on waste’s potential to generate additional power for the country,” she said.

The bill proposes the inclusion of WTE projects in the Green Energy Auction Program, with Feedstock Service Agreements to be established between LGUs and developers. These agreements would ensure a steady supply of waste material to fuel the facilities.

DOE will oversee energy generation from WTE plants, while the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will implement ecological solid waste management strategies.

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is tasked with developing pricing mechanisms. The Department of Health (DOH) will conduct mandatory Health Impact Assessments (HIA) for each WTE project.

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will perform technical validation of WTE technologies, while the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will coordinate with LGUs for the strategic siting of facilities. The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) may provide funding support, and LGUs will handle feedstock collection and integrate WTE into their Local Solid Waste Management Plans.

The bill also encourages public-private partnerships to bring in technical know-how and investment, supported by incentives under the CREATE MORE Act or Republic Act No. 12066. These incentives include grants, financial aid, and formal recognition for pioneering projects.

The WTE Bill is one of 44 priority measures adopted by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) on September 30, 2025. It also has the backing of the Metro Manila Council (MMC), which expressed support for the DOE’s WTE program on November 4.

In Congress, the House Committees on Energy and Ecology have been reviewing related proposals. A consolidated version of a complementary Waste Treatment Technology Bill has passed committee-level approval and is set to be referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means for further deliberation.