P16 billion WTE plant breaks ground in Danao

CEBU, Philippines — The city government of Danao has celebrated another historic milestone as it broke ground yesterday on one of its big ticket projects to sustainable development - the $300 million or approximately P16 billion worth Ultramodern Solid Waste Management and Disposal Plant in Barangay Dunggoan.

The project is in collaboration with Integrated Green Technology Visayas Inc. and IT SPV1 Holding Inc. (IGT), of which Danao City has embarked on a project that introduces the first-ever Waste to Energy (WtE) plant in the Philippines.

Danao City Investment and Promotions Center (DCIPC) officer Ramon “Red” Durano VI, in his speech, said that the city government opened its arms to IGT, whose project can be summed up with 3 Es: Ecology, Economy, and Energy.

He explained ecology through effective waste management; economy through jobs creation, and energy with the introduction of alternative and renewable energy sources.

Durano said that the land, which will be the site of this project, was once the heart of the Durano Industrial Welfare Estate.

“And perhaps its current phase is a necessary condition to usher in again Danao's sustainable golden age of industrial might,” the former lawmaker said.

This visionary initiative positions the city as a pioneer in innovative waste management solutions and reinforces its commitment to environmental stewardship.

Led by City Mayor Thomas Mark "Mix" H. Durano and Vice Mayor Ramon "Nito" Durano, IlI, the groundbreaking ceremony was attended by distinguished guests and leaders who shared the same vision with the city for a greener future.

In a statement, the Danao City government said that this project perfectly aligns with the city’s thrust of building an ecologically balanced economy where economic progress is harmonized with responsible environmental practices.

By implementing advanced WtE technologies, the city aims to optimize waste management processes and foster a sustainable environment that supports long-term growth, it added.

"We consider this a gift at this time of our continuous fight for economic and environmental equilibrium. Integrating the welfare of our environment while expanding our economic potential. IGT will be one of our navigating forces as we reconstruct Danao City's eco-friendly economy,” said Mayor Mix Durano, in his speech.

The groundbreaking ceremony signifies a major leap forward in waste management practices with the city taking the lead in introducing this pioneering technology to the Philippines.

The WtE plant will utilize cutting-edge systems to transform waste into renewable energy, reducing the environmental footprint and contributing to the city's goal of achieving a sustainable and resilient future, it added.

IGT, together with the City Government of Danao, have approved and sealed the contract for 50 years to address the waste disposal problems of the city and local government units.

This facility located at Barangay Dunggoan will generate a minimum 12MW to a maximum 30MW of electricity per day covering the land area of 6.3 hectares and processing and treatment of waste volume between 600-1,200 tons per day of mixed waste.

IGT, together with foreign partners CNIM from Paris, France & PAPREC using a proven European technology in Germany (Martin Gmbh) have built 175 WtE (Waste to Energy) and Biomass plants in 23 countries.

The Philippines will be the 24th country to have Danao City as the first WtE plant in the Philippines.

Currently, Mr. Denis Bauer, CEO of CMPL (CNIM Martin Private Limited) has an ongoing WtE project in Thailand and it will be ready and operational by 2024.

“This facility is at "no cost" to the LGU just a Memorandum of Agreement that will guarantee the waste volume per day of the WtE facility to treat the waste, segregate, recycle and convert into energy,” said IGT, in a separate statement.

IGT further said that there are several benefits that the LGU will receive such as no more investments on material recovery facility, no more investment on sanitary landfill, no more environmental concerns on odor recycling and leachate problems including air and water pollution.

Danao City as the host WtE plant will have an estimated 300 employees all from Danao City resident which is 80 percent of IGT workforce, the 10 percent will be from other municipalities of Cebu Province and the other 10 percent will be IGT and foreign partners’ workers.

“The Philippine government now is having its transition when it comes to landfill. So they're converting landfill now into waste to energy or any sort of recycling that would benefit not just the community but also in terms of power, electricity,” said Chief Operating Officer of IGT Michael Jimenez. — CNU Intern Kristin de Dios (FREEMAN)