The Cebu Provincial Capitol is set to transform its waste management practices with the planned acquisition of a P10-million waste-to-fuel machine, Governor Pamela Baricuatro announced. The initiative also comes with stricter waste segregation measures within government offices.
Baricuatro said the Capitol must lead by example, adding that implementing proper waste management in government offices is a necessary first step before expecting municipalities to follow suit. Separate bins for biodegradable (“wet”) and non-biodegradable (“dry”) waste will be installed in all offices to ensure compliance with segregation rules.
Assistant Provincial Administrator Aldwin Empaces said the project is part of the province’s broader “Clean Cebu Campaign,” which emphasizes segregation at source as a solution to Cebu’s persistent garbage problem.
While the Capitol already has a material recovery facility (MRF), most of the collected waste is still sent to landfills, adding to daily hauling and disposal costs.
The waste-to-fuel machine will convert dry waste, including plastic, into usable fuel that could power generators for the Capitol and possibly hospital facilities.
Empaces said up to 30 percent of plastic waste could be converted into fuel, potentially reducing landfill disposal and fuel costs by the same proportion.
Daily, the Capitol generates roughly 98 cubic meters of waste, excluding hospital waste, and spends around P12,000 on fuel for garbage trucks alone.
Empaces noted that improper segregation remains a challenge, with mixed waste causing inefficiencies and foul odors during transport.
The initiative is considered a cost-effective short-term solution compared to large-scale waste-to-energy projects, which require heavier investment and coordination among multiple LGUs.
Baricuatro expressed optimism about the project after reviewing a similar facility in Siargao, where up to five tons of solid waste are converted into diesel fuel daily.
After initial implementation at the Capitol, the waste segregation program will expand to key public areas, including the Cebu North and South Bus Terminals and Larsian food park.
Several LGUs—including Camotes, Bantayan, Danao, San Remigio, and Tabuelan—have expressed interest in adopting the system.
The Capitol is also exploring composting facilities for wet waste, turning biodegradable materials into fertilizer for farmers. Baricuatro emphasized that effective waste management must start with government offices to set an example for the rest of the province. (SBA)
