Governor Pam Baricuatro said Cebu is pursuing a WTE facility through a public-private partnership to address the long-standing problem of garbage disposal problem in the province. She said discussions began last year and are expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2026. She did not identify those involved.
Urgency after tragedy
According to Baricuatro, a proposed site has been identified in Naga City in southern Cebu, near the Apo Cement Corp. plant, for a waste-to-energy facility.
“This should have been done years ago but it was never done. We have to do it now. Better late than never,” she said during the pilot episode of iStorya, the Cebu Provincial Public Information’s online broadcast on Jan. 9, 2026.
The governor said the WTE project would be raised to the Regional Development Council in Central Visayas, which Baricuatro chairs, as it complements her other priority projects, including dam construction.
She pointed out that the landslide at the waste facility in Barangay Binaliw, Cebu City, only made the project more urgent.
At least six people were killed and about 30 others were reported missing after a portion of a landfill operated by Prime Waste Solution collapsed on the afternoon of Jan. 8.
Power stability concerns
A power consumer advocacy group welcomed the proposed WTE project but said Cebu’s growth must rely on stable baseload power that ensures community safety.
The Cebu Electricity Rights Advocates (CERA) pointed out in a statement that a WTE facility in Barangay Binaliw could have reduced the garbage volume by 90 percent and generated at least 18 MW — enough to cover about 12 percent of Cebu’s annual power demand growth of 150 MW.
Cebu’s power reserves frequently dip below the 200-MW safety buffer, placing the province at risk for voltage instability.
But CERA said there must be a 1-km mandatory “No-Build Zone” around any facility classified as a landfill or WTE site to prevent future tragedies.
Councilor Joel Garganera, Cebu City council chair on environment, said he has been advocating for the use of WTE facilities in Cebu City.
He recalled that he was a scholar of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) about 35 years ago where he was exposed to the WTE facilities in Japan.
When he tried to advocate for the technology in Cebu City, he added, it was struck down.
Garganera said there was no reason why Cebu couldn’t have one when Japan has 21 WTE facilities while Singapore has five.
He stressed that it was no mean feat disposing at least 600 tons of garbage from Cebu City daily.
He said Cebu City was not the only local government unit using the Binaliw landfill, as there were at least two other LGUs disposing of their garbage in the facility.
“(With the volume), it is a disaster bound to happen,” he added.
Strengthening waste systems
The 900-strong Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) stressed the need for comprehensive review and strengthening of the waste management ecosystem to address environmental, safety, and public health concerns.
The chamber also urged businesses to adopt improved waste management practices, including proper segregation, recycling, safe storage, and waste reduction at the source.
The CCCI also said companies must actively engage with local communities, support safety and relief initiatives, comply with environmental regulations, and collaborate with government agencies and environmental organizations.
“These collective actions are vital not only in demonstrating corporate social responsibility but also in preventing future incidents, protecting lives and ecosystems, reducing operational risks, and ensuring the long-term resilience and sustainability of business operations,” the CCCI statement said.
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