Bacolod City Advances Waste-to-Energy Plan Through Public Hearing
On March 17, 2026, the City Government of Bacolod, in collaboration with the Negrosanon Initiative for Climate and the Environment (Nice), held a public hearing to incorporate a waste-to-energy (WTE) component into its 10-year solid waste management plan, spanning from 2024 to 2033. This initiative marks a significant step toward addressing the city's growing waste management challenges amid rapid development and urbanization.
Mayor Emphasizes Transparency and Community Engagement
Mayor Greg Gasataya underscored the importance of open dialogue and transparency in governance, stating, "The future of our city will not be decided behind closed doors, but in the open light with those whom we serve." He expressed deep appreciation for the dedication of citizens, experts, and community leaders who attended the hearing, sharing perspectives and asking questions. Gasataya emphasized that public service involves listening directly to the people, valuing their input to improve city services and safeguard the welfare of Bacolod.
He highlighted the complexity of finding sustainable, long-term solutions for solid waste management in a growing city, noting that active community participation ensures informed decision-making. "Thank you for your continued partnership in building a cleaner, more sustainable Bacolod for all of us," Gasataya added, reinforcing the belief in collective strength.
Background and Project Details
In January 2026, Mayor Gasataya signed a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Energy to implement WTE in Bacolod. The proposed Bacolod Integrated Recycling Technology Hub (Birth Ecopark) will be constructed on a 25.7-hectare site in Barangay Felisa, adjacent to the existing five-hectare sanitary landfill. This project aligns with the waste management hierarchy, which prioritizes waste avoidance, reduction, reuse, and recycling, with WTE as a recovery option and landfilling as a last resort.
The Birth Ecopark will feature a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), and the WTE project will be executed as a public-private partnership to ensure public health protection, regulatory compliance, and legal adherence. Nice commended the city's efforts in conducting the public consultation, viewing it as a move to address long-standing garbage management issues while aligning with policies on procurement neutrality and non-commitment.
Advocacy for Safer Technologies
However, Nice advocated for safer WTE technologies to safeguard public safety. Joshua Villalobos, secretary general of Nice, clarified that the organization's support for WTE does not extend to thermal waste-to-energy technologies, citing concerns over public health risks, environmental hazards, and potential disruption to waste hierarchy priorities. "We would like to make it clear that despite what we have been advocating, we are not against waste-to-energy technologies in general," Villalobos said. "Since our initial engagement, we always made it clear that what we are really concerned about is technologies that involve thermal waste to energy."
He proposed that the city create provisions to consider only technologies with clear regulatory guidelines that align with global environmental health standards. Villalobos also stressed the importance of integrated waste management strategies, particularly source segregation, to enhance overall effectiveness.
Stakeholder Participation and Framework Updates
The public hearing saw participation from a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives from the Solid Waste Management Board, barangay officials, the private sector, and government agencies such as the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Energy, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and Department of Education, along with civil society organizations. The City presented updates to its WTE framework, which is integrated into the existing 10-year plan, ensuring a comprehensive approach to sustainable waste management.
