The Department of Energy (DOE) and the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office convened national agencies, local governments, civil society groups, and developers in a multistakeholder forum in Pasig City to discuss the proposed Waste-to-Energy (WTE) Bill. The event, held at the Marco Polo Hotel on November 26, focused on the bill’s environmental, technical, and regulatory provisions.

DOE Undersecretary Rowena Cristina L. Guevara said the engagement aims to build informed consensus based on science and lived experience. “We seek not just compromise but a comprehensive understanding enriched by science, global lessons, and Philippine realities,” she stated. She emphasized that discussions must consider the situation of informal waste workers and the environmental impact of WTE deployment.

Undersecretary Mylene C. Capongcol said the DOE will provide legislators with “evidence-based recommendations,” adding that waste should be viewed as a potential fuel source. “Waste has value when managed properly,” she stressed, highlighting the need for clear frameworks on feedstock supply, facility oversight, and integration with local solid waste management systems.

The proposed measure outlines the development of WTE facilities that can process residual waste and reduce dependence on sanitary landfills. It also includes potential participation of WTE projects in the Green Energy Auction Program and proposes Feedstock Service Agreements between developers and LGUs. Several agencies, including DENR, DILG, ERC, DOH, DOST, DPWH, and MMDA, are also assigned with regulatory and technical roles.

The bill is listed among 44 priority measures of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council. A consolidated version has been approved at the committee level in the House of Representatives and is awaiting further referral. The Metro Manila Council also expressed its support for the DOE’s WTE initiative earlier this November.

As lawmakers continue deliberations on the WTE Bill, what conditions or safeguards do you believe are most essential for ensuring responsible waste-to-energy development in the Philippines?

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