Pam pushing for procurement of ₱10M waste-to-fuel machine

CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES — Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro is pushing for the procurement of a ₱10-million waste-to-fuel machine while ordering strict waste segregation at the Provincial Capitol.

The governor said the initiative will begin within Capitol offices, requiring all department heads to enforce proper segregation of wet and dry waste as an initial step toward strengthening the province’s environmental policies.

“Let’s walk the talk. Lisod if magpa-implement ta’s municipalities unya di ‘ta mohimo. So, we should start here,” Baricuatro said during a department heads’ meeting on Monday, March 23.

Separate bins for biodegradable or “wet” waste and non-biodegradable or “dry” waste will be installed across offices to ensure compliance with segregation rules.

The directive forms part of the provincial government’s broader “Clean Cebu Campaign,” which emphasizes segregation at source as a key solution to the province’s long-standing garbage problem.

Assistant Provincial Administrator Aldwin Empaces said the Capitol is positioning itself as a model for local government units (LGUs) across Cebu.

“So kani nga technology, basically usa ‘ni sa mga options gi-consider sa province, considering that we’re already moving in terms of strengthening the implementation sa solid waste management plan,” said Empaces.

He added that, while the Capitol already has a material recovery facility (MRF), most collected waste still ends up in landfills. “Usually, ilabay ra sad na siya sa landfill, so we’re looking at innovations like garbage-to-fuel,” he said.

Waste Segregation = Fuel Conservation

Empaces said the waste-to-fuel machine will process plastic or dry waste collected within the Capitol and convert part of it into usable fuel.

“So katong dry mao to’y ibuwag, nya lahi-lahi na sad nga collection kay naa ma’y collection gyud diri sa Capitolyo, mura gyud og barangay,” he explained.

The facility is being eyed for installation near the Capitol’s existing MRF. “Gisukod pa namo ron kay basin ma-fit ba ang size sa waste-to-fuel facility,” Empaces said.

Initial estimates show that up to 30 percent of collected plastic waste could be converted into fuel. “So that we’re looking at around 30 percent nga ma-convert into fuel, and the fuel would also be used for our generators,” he added.

The generated fuel is expected to power Capitol operations, including generators and possibly hospital requirements, reducing dependence on purchased fuel.
“In that way, mura nag-energy saving, instead of sige mi’g palit og fuel, we produce using garbage,” Empaces said.

Reducing landfill dependence

The Capitol currently spends thousands daily for waste hauling and landfill disposal, a cost the new system aims to reduce.

Empaces said each garbage truck costs around ₱2,600 per trip in fuel alone, with at least five trucks operating daily. “So that’s roughly almost ₱12,000 a day, mura ra mi’g nag pundo og basura,” he said.

On top of this, the Capitol generates about 98 cubic meters of waste daily, excluding hospital waste. “Kung imong i-compute, dako gyud kaayo ang gasto nato sa landfill,” he added.

By converting a portion of plastic waste into fuel, the province expects to cut landfill disposal and fuel expenses by at least 30 percent. “Makapugong ‘ta sa gasto sa landfill, unya naa pa gyud ta’y fuel nga magamit,” Empaces said.

He noted that improper segregation remains a major contributor to waste inefficiency and foul odor during transport. “Ang challenge man gyud ani is segregation at source. Kay kung sagol-sagol, mao gyud na ang baho,” he said.

Long-term solution

The waste-to-fuel initiative is being considered as an immediate and cost-effective intervention compared to large-scale waste-to-energy (WTE) projects.

Empaces said the technology was introduced to the province earlier this year as a short-term solution requiring less investment. “It is less than ₱10 million, nya dako ‘na og tabang. So, it really makes sense nga we’re hitting multiple measures with this,” he said.
He explained that while WTE facilities remain a long-term goal, they require significant investment and coordination among multiple LGUs. “Ang WTE long-term gyud na. Ang challenge ana kinahanglan magkasinabot ang daghang LGU para sa supply sa basura,” he said.

In contrast, the waste-to-fuel system can be implemented on a smaller scale at the district or LGU level. The governor earlier expressed openness to the model after meeting with proponents of a similar facility in Siargao.

The system there processes up to five tons of solid waste daily and converts it into diesel fuel used to power its operations. “Our main objective is to solve the waste problem. The fuel is just a bonus,” said Atty. Jehremiah Asis, whose group presented the technology.

Baricuatro said the model could allow Cebu to upcycle waste instead of relying heavily on landfills. “What I liked about this is we can work on this right away,” the governor said.

Following its rollout at the Capitol, the waste segregation initiative will be expanded to key public areas, including the Cebu North and South Bus Terminals and Larsian Food Park.

Empaces said several LGUs have already expressed interest in adopting the technology, including those in Camotes, Bantayan, Danao, San Remigio, and Tabuelan. “After the summit, around 10 LGUs ang interested, some even willing to procure their own units,” he said.

He added that the province may extend assistance to LGUs that intend to adopt the system. “Ang gusto ni Gov. kung ganahan ang LGU, we can support them, pero naa sad uban nga sila nala’y mupalit,” Empaces said.

Alongside the fuel conversion initiative, the province is also eyeing composting facilities for biodegradable waste. A provincial lot in Sudlon, Lahug has been proposed as a site for compost pits to process wet waste into fertilizer.

The Capitol is also exploring additional technologies to support agricultural use, including organic composting methods. “Katong wet waste, i-compost nato, mahimo na siyang fertilizer nga magamit sa farmers,” Empaces said.

Ultimately, the governor underscored that real change must begin within government offices before expanding province-wide.

“Clean Cebu starts at home,” Empaces said, echoing Baricuatro’s administration push for discipline and accountability in waste management.

Lapu-Lapu mayor to lower terminal fees for PUVs

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Ma. Cynthia “Cindi” King-Chan is proposing a reduction in terminal fees for public utility vehicles (PUVs) to help ease the financial strain on drivers caused by increasing fuel costs.

Chan said the city government is looking at temporarily lowering transport-related charges as fuel prices and other operating expenses continue to climb, affecting both drivers and commuters.

The proposal is set to be discussed during the upcoming regular session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod ahead of the Holy Week observance, with implementation targeted as early as next week.

Under the plan, terminal fees would be reduced to P15 from P25 for v-hires, P10 from P20 for jeepneys, and P5 from P10 for multicabs.

According to the mayor, the move aims to provide immediate financial relief to drivers while helping keep public transport fares manageable.

Once approved, the measure is expected to benefit hundreds of PUV operators and contribute to more affordable transportation services across the city.