Davao City firm in its commitment to push for WTE project

Davao City partners with agencies to comply with requirements for the approval of provision of national government funding needed to build the Waste-to Energy (WTE) facility.

Assistant City Administrator, lawyer Atty. Tristan Dwight Domingo, in an interview on January 25, 2023, said that the city is partnering with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to comply with the requirements and get approval from National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board for the said project.

“We are coordinating with DENR and just recently the city wrote DENR to follow-up on the plans to form a Technical Working Group for the project,” he said, adding that the TWG will be composed of the LGU project team, DENR officials, EMB, and concerned departments and offices.

He added that the partnership with DENR is vital as the funding from the national government will be coursed through the said department, the project being one of the pilot WTE projects in the country.

Domingo further emphasized that cities across the world like in Japan and Southeast Asia, were successful with their respective solid waste management programs as these are usually done with support from their national governments through subsidy or funding.

“That is the same financing scheme that we would like to pilot here in Davao City,” Domingo said.

He said that the city would need an estimated 3.5 Billion pesos from the national government to finish or fully fund the entire construction of the facility. This is to add to the 2.5 Billion initially donated by the Japanese Government for the project.

“As one of the conditions of the grant donation from the Japanese Government, a more in-depth feasibility study was done to check the financial viability of the project as well its compliance to governing and applicable Philippine and international standards on WTE and similar facilities,” Domingo said.

He said that with this in-depth feasibility study, the public can be assured that the Davao City WTE project will ensure compliance to the safety, health, and environmental standards. He emphasized the same amidst the ongoing disinformation spread by groups or individuals opposing the project.

“The city recognizes everyone’s right to voice their opinions and comments on the project. However, we would like to appeal to them to be mindful of the statements that they release, and ensure that these are accurate,” Domingo said.

Among the reported misconceptions about the project is that the project is funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, which according to Domingo is not true.

“JICA has been our partner for development not only for the city but the entire country. They have been helping the country develop roads and other major infrastructure, conducting and developing feasibility studies, and master plans. However, the WTE project in Davao City is not funded by JICA. So, this is something that we should be mindful of when we say these things in an attempt to question the WTE project. Claiming that the WTE project is funded by JICA though it is not, may not do well in further strengthening our good relations with JICA.” Domingo said.

Another inaccuracy that Domingo seeks to address is the report that the funds that the city is trying to get from the national government will be used to pay for the tipping fee. Again, Domingo further debunked the same emphasizing that the fund requested from the national government will be for the capital expenditure or to be used to build the WTE facility.

“Reports and articles claiming that Davao City is asking the national government for a counterpart fund to pay for the tipping fee is also inaccurate. Right now, the City Government is doing its best to ensure that the payment of tipping fee, which is initially recommended to be done by the City Government, will be favorable or comparatively low compared to existing tipping fees across the country,” Domingo added.

Domingo said that the City Government of Davao is open to those who want to seek clarifications or those who want to know more about the WTE project.

“Whether you are for or against the WTE project, we are open to have meetings with any person or entity who seeks to know more about the project. All they should do is get in touch with us. We consider everyone, including the critics of the project, to be our partners of development as we all work together to ensure effective and safe solid waste management in the city.” Domingo said. CIO