MPIC starts work on Iloilo waste management plant

MANILA, Philippines — Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC), through subsidiary MetPower Venture Partners, has started construction of a new plant in Iloilo City that is expected to set a new standard for waste management, renewable energy and sustainability.

The Iloilo City Integrated Solid Waste Management Facility (ISWMF), which broke ground last week, is slated to begin operations in December 2026.

The facility will process 475 tons of municipal solid waste per day, generate 3.5 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy and produce 163 tons of refuse-derived fuel (RDF) daily for industrial applications.

MPIC chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan said the group hopes that the facility becomes a national model for transformative development once completed.

“We are committed to investing in infrastructure that not only addresses immediate needs but also creates long-term value for generations to come. The Iloilo City Integrated Solid Waste Management Facility represents a milestone in how cities and the private sector can work together to solve complex challenges – cleanly, efficiently and inclusively,” Pangilinan said.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga said: “By diverting waste from landfills, reducing methane emissions while at the same time generating power to secure safe and sustainable water supply, the ISWMF shows how integrated environmental solutions are possible through commitment, technical excellence, innovation, public -private partnerships and visionary leadership.”

The ISWMF, which is located on a 3.6-hectare site, is seen revolutionizing waste management by reducing landfill use, cutting methane emissions and converting waste into valuable resources.

Within the ISWMF will be an anaerobic digestion biogas plant, which will supply renewable power to critical infrastructure, including Metro Pacific Water’s 65 million liters per day desalination plant.

The RDF production facility, meanwhile, will provide industries with an alternative fuel.

“This facility is more than just a waste processing plant – it’s a model for how cities can embrace sustainable waste management solutions,” MetPower president and CEO Jonji Madara said.

“By integrating advanced waste processing technologies, we are addressing environmental challenges while creating economic value for Iloilo and its people. We are proud to work alongside our partners to make this vision a reality,” Madara said.

MPIC chief finance, risk and sustainability officer Chaye Cabal-Revilla said that beyond environmental impact, the facility is also designed for economic viability.