DOE backs trash-to-power bill

The Department of Energy (DOE) is betting on waste as a resource, pushing the Waste-to-Energy (WTE) Bill to transform the country’s leftover trash into a reliable source of energy.

At a multi-stakeholder forum at the Marco Polo Hotel, the DOE and the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office brought together government agencies, local governments, civil society groups, academics, project developers, and private sector representatives to review the bill’s key provisions, including environmental safeguards, technological readiness, regulatory frameworks, and feedstock availability.

“Our collective goal is not to find a simple compromise, but to achieve a comprehensive understanding, one that integrates robust scientific evidence, learns from the successes and failures of international best practices, and respects the unique realities of Philippine communities, particularly the fate of our informal waste workers,” Energy Undersecretary Rowena Christina Guevara said Thursday. 

The bill targets to turn residual waste into energy, reducing reliance on landfills while adding power to the grid.

WTE projects would be part of the Green Energy Auction Program and backed by Feedstock Service Agreements with local governments.

According to Energy Undersecretary Mylene C. Capongcol, solid waste management should not focus solely on reducing waste but also on harnessing its potential to generate additional power for the country.

Under the proposed law, the DOE would regulate energy production, while the DENR and DILG would oversee solid waste management. 

The ERC would set pricing rules, and the DOH would ensure all facilities undergo Health Impact Assessments. 

Other agencies, including the Departments of Science and Technology and Public Works and Highways, along with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, would help with technology validation, facility siting, funding, and feedstock collection.

Public-private partnerships and fiscal incentives under the CREATE MORE Act are also expected to encourage participation from both private firms and local governments.

The WTE Bill is among 44 priority measures identified by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council and has secured support from the Metro Manila Council. It is currently under review by House committees on Energy, Ecology, and Ways and Means as it moves through the legislative process.