SANTA ROSA, Nueva Ecija (PIA) — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is urging local government units (LGUs) in Nueva Ecija to unite in pursuing a proposed province-wide Waste-to-Energy (WTE) facility to promote sustainable waste management.
Nueva Ecija Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Artemio Almazan Jr. welcomed the suggestion raised by municipal environment and natural resources officers (MENROs) during the fourth quarter meeting of the Provincial Technical Working Group (PTWG) for the Manila Bay Rehabilitation Program.
He emphasized the need to explore alternative waste management solutions, noting that sanitary landfills have limited operating lifespans and require substantial land areas.
“One of the good projects that we can pursue is to bring the Waste-to-Energy proposal to the national government for adoption,” Almazan said.
He explained that a centralized WTE facility could accommodate residual waste from several municipalities and convert discarded materials into useful resources, including energy, fuel, construction materials, and fertilizer.
Almazan encouraged MENROs to unite and present a common recommendation to their respective mayors, the provincial government, and congressional representatives to gain support for the proposed initiative.
“I hope our MENROs, municipal mayors, the provincial government, and our congressmen can help us establish a Waste-to-Energy plant here in Nueva Ecija. At least we can start the initiative here and eventually see it adopted on a national scale,” he said.
The proposal gained support from several MENROs, who cited the rising costs of waste collection, hauling, and disposal.
The PENRO chief said the agency would invite companies and institutions engaged in WTE technology to the next PTWG meeting to present available systems, investment requirements, and possible applications in the province.
Meanwhile, the DENR is also strengthening its water conservation efforts to help communities prepare for the potential impacts of El Niño.
Almazan reported that around 50 to 60 Small Water Impounding System projects have been established in Nueva Ecija, primarily to provide water for nurseries and reforestation activities.
The agency is also working to rehabilitate nonfunctional facilities to maximize their use as additional water sources for areas with limited supply.
The initiatives were among the environmental concerns discussed during the PTWG meeting, which also reviewed the province’s accomplishments under the Manila Bay Rehabilitation Program, including water quality monitoring, solid waste management, and compliance with environmental regulations.
Almazan called on LGUs and partner institutions to strengthen their environmental programs and work together to address waste management and water conservation challenges.
“Let us give proper attention to our waste and explore technologies that will allow us to process and make these materials useful to our communities,” he said.
These initiatives are aligned with the priorities of the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to promote environmental protection and strengthen climate resilience through closer coordination between national government agencies and LGUs. (RPQ/CNG, PIA Region 3-Nueva Ecija)
