French firm offers solution for garbage problem

CEBU, Philippines - A French investor had offered a solution to Dumaguete City’s garbage problem, using the latest technology available in the market today, called the Waste Processing and Gasification Plant Technology.

Vista Green Corporation presented the details of the project to members of the City Council, in the presence of Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo.

The plant will cost Vista Green from P180 million to P360 million, but at no expense to the city government provided the latter will be able to supply from 200 to 300 tons of garbage daily.  

Dumaguete only has an average of 40 to 60 tons of garbage daily and so to meet the requirement, neighboring local government units may also dump their garbage at the Candau-ay dumpsite by paying the tipping fee.

Vista Green assured the city government that the plant produces less noise, no pollution with only carbon dioxide being emitted, thus planting of trees in the area will be undertaken. It is more flexible, and can process mixed wastes, modular, low emission and high energy balance.

The investor, however, is eyeing for a return of investment through the energy produced from the garbage, and other by-products. The generated power can be sold to the city at a cheaper price, Remollo told The Freeman.

The mayor said the coming of Vista Green is like a “hulog ng langit” for the city because the facility it offered will be constructed without expense from the government, while at the same time solving the long-standing garbage problem.

Remollo said Dumaguete had received at least three closure orders from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources against the city’s open dumpsite at Candau-ay.

With the entry of Vista Green, Remollo saw an opportunity for the rehabilitation of the dumpsite, and processing of garbage dump here everyday.

Councilor Estanislao Alviola had asked Vista Green for more time to enable the Council to study further the proposal. He also asked the investor to submit a company profile and track record of projects they have undertaken so far.

Vista Green had already said it has at least 15 waste processing plants—all in the pipeline and ready for implementation—in Porac, Subic Bay, Iloilo, Cavite, Tacloban, Pastrana and Cebu City. (FREEMAN)