Iloilo, MetPower study advanced waste management facility

By Mariela Angella Oladive

The Iloilo provincial government met with MetPower Venture Partners on Wednesday, Jan. 14, to discuss the possible establishment of an advanced solid waste management facility under a proposed public-private partnership.

The proposed project aims to improve waste disposal systems and promote a circular economy across the province through the adoption of modern waste-to-energy technologies.

The meeting was attended by Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., MetPower President and CEO Jose Maria Madara, and MetPower Iloilo Waste Recovery Joint Venture Corp. project manager Loleny Nicor.

Officials from the Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office, Provincial Planning and Development Office, Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion Center, and the Iloilo City General Services Office also took part in the discussion.

Under the proposal, MetPower plans to develop a modular facility that will convert residual waste into refuse-derived fuel, or RDF, which can be used as an alternative energy source.

Data from the Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office showed an average of 80 tons of residual waste generated daily by 35 municipalities, which are currently being disposed of at the integrated waste management facility in Passi City.

The proposed technology is expected to reduce environmental impact while improving the efficiency and long-term sustainability of municipal solid waste management.

Defensor said the provincial government is willing to provide a site for the construction of the facility should the project move forward.

Meanwhile, Iloilo City has already broken ground on its own integrated waste management facility in Barangay Ingore, La Paz, also in partnership with MetPower.

Further discussions and technical evaluations are expected as both parties continue to assess the feasibility of the proposed project.