The Provincial Government of Cebu is moving forward with plans to establish integrated solid waste management facilities in both northern and southern parts of the province to tackle the escalating waste disposal crisis. Governor Pamela Baricuatro made the announcement during a high-level inspection of the Guun Co. Ltd. recycling plant in Barangay Tayud, Consolacion.
Funding Remains Key Obstacle
Baricuatro stated that funding is the only major hurdle preventing the construction of two large-scale integrated facilities. In a Facebook post by the Cebu Province Public Information Office on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, she was quoted as saying that while local government units have started donating public land, the provincial government still lacks the capital needed for the infrastructure, which will rely heavily on advanced Japanese recycling technology.
“One in the north and one in the south…. Location is not the problem. The problem is the funding,” Baricuatro told local officials and environmental delegates during a discussion in Consolacion.
Green Transformation Parks
The proposed facilities, called “Green Transformation (GX) Parks,” aim to shift Cebu away from traditional landfilling. Instead, they will use waste-to-energy technology to convert municipal plastic and paper waste into industrial fuel. Although the total project cost has not been disclosed, the province has secured key logistical and land commitments.
Danao City Mayor Ramon “Nito” Durano III has committed to hosting the northern hub, providing at least one hectare of public land. In the south, the Provincial Planning and Development Office is vetting sites, with several municipalities offering possible locations.
Japan’s Support
Japan’s Ministry of the Environment has expressed support, offering proprietary technology developed over 30 years of waste management experience. Japan’s Vice Minister for Global Environmental Affairs, Kentaro Doi, who accompanied Baricuatro during the inspection, said Japan is ready to help Cebu fast-track the project.
“For us in Japan, we struggled with these problems as well and we tried to work on solutions for the past 30 years,” Doi said through an interpreter. “We are very happy to share our know-how and experience with you.”
Model Facility in Consolacion
The Guun Co. Ltd. recycling plant in Consolacion currently processes 50 to 75 tons of plastic waste daily, converting it into “fluff fuel,” an eco-friendly alternative to coal used by major cement manufacturers. This facility serves as the operational model for the planned GX Parks.
Earlier, Baricuatro led a delegation to Yokohama, Japan, last February to study these systems firsthand, framing the partnership as the backbone of her administration’s “Clean Cebu Campaign.”
Clean Cebu Campaign
SunStar Cebu reported on March 19 that provincial officials met with private groups and stakeholders to address Cebu’s growing garbage problem. The meeting marked the official launch of the “Clean Cebu Campaign,” a province-wide initiative aimed at improving waste management and cleaning up communities. Baricuatro said the campaign seeks to turn plans into action by addressing gaps in existing waste systems and reducing risks to public health and safety across the province and its three major cities—Cebu, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu.
Financing the Future
The Province must now secure credit lines, National Government subsidies, or public-private partnerships to finance construction. Toru Hashimoto, president of Yokohama-based consultancy firm Y-Bridge, advised that the facilities could be built incrementally to manage initial costs. He also noted that a comprehensive provincial study will determine whether Cebu will ultimately require more than two GX Parks to handle its daily waste output.
