Cebu-based groups join the call to block WtE bill

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu-based groups have joined the campaign that opposes the proposed Waste-to-Energy Incineration Bill.

The groups identified as Action for Nurturing Children and Environment Inc., Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino-Cebu, Communities for Alternative Food Ecosystems Initiative-Cebu City, Freedom From Debt Coalition-Cebu, Gagmayng Kristohanong Katilingban Homeowners Association, Kongreso ng Pagkakaisa ng mga Maralita ng Lungsod-Cebu, Krusada sa Kalikasan, Ligdung Sumbanan Alang sa mga Kabataan sa Sugbo, Philippine Earth Justice Center, Philippine Movement for Climate Justice-Cebu, Regional Center of Expertise-Cebu and Sanlakas-Cebu

Over 100 civil society groups, informal waste workers associations, faith-based institutions, trade unions, academe, and community-based organizations are calling for the withdrawal of Senate Bill No. 1789, also known as the “Waste-to-Energy Act” authored by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian.

In a letter sent to the Senate and members of the 18th Congress signed by over 100 organizations, the groups said they are seriously concerned about the harm that WtE technologies and facilities pose to human health, the environment, and to the economic standing of local government units.

“WtE facilities are ineffective solutions to deal with waste. Scientific studies clearly show that incineration processes in WtE facilities emit significant quantities of direct greenhouse gases, and are sources of indirect greenhouse gases including large amounts of dioxins and furans,” read the letter.

According to lawyer Gob Alimangohan of EcoWaste Coalition, allowing WtE incineration prevents the country from pursuing solutions that conserve resources, protect health and do not harm the climate.

Currently, incineration is prohibited under the Clean Air Act and Ecological Solid Waste Management Act. If approved, the bill will only benefit the plastics industry and foreign waste management companies, the groups said.

“WtE incinerators are a convenient excuse for plastic polluters to avoid accountability for dealing with the worsening toxic pollution associated with their products,” added Ecowaste Coalition National Coordinator Aileen Lucero.

Lucero also suggested that instead of harmful and quick-fix solutions like the WtE incinerators, Senator Gatchalian could champion a bill that would ban single-use and other disposable plastic packaging and products.

The groups said that there are viable solutions instead of misleading the minds of the public to accept the proposed bill.

They stressed that municipalities and barangays in the country are successfully practicing zero-waste in accordance with Republic Act 9003 which is a circular system that minimizes unnecessary extraction and consumption, reduces waste, and ensures that products and materials are reused or recycled back into nature or into the market.

In Cebu, there are also several WtE project proposals which the Cebu concerned groups have been trying to stop from pushing through due to its harmful effects that may cause to the people more than benefits it will get from it. — GMR  (FREEMAN)