The Cebu Provincial Government is pushing plans to establish integrated waste management facilities in northern and southern Cebu under its Clean Cebu Campaign, although officials acknowledged that funding remains the biggest hurdle.
Governor Pamela Baricuatro said the province has already identified its direction for a more modern waste management system but is still working to secure the financial resources needed for full implementation.
Speaking during a visit to the Guun Co. Ltd. recycling facility in Barangay Tayud, Consolacion on Tuesday, May 26, Baricuatro said the province intends to build two major waste management centers to improve garbage disposal and environmental sustainability.
“One in the north and one in the south…. Location is not the problem. The problem is the funding,” she said.
Baricuatro said the provincial government is strengthening partnerships with Japanese environmental groups and private companies to support long term modernization efforts, including potential waste to energy systems.
She recalled her recent visit to Japan, where she observed advanced waste processing systems in cities like Yokohama.
“I have visited Japan and was truly impressed by its level of waste management,” she said.
“That is why as we make the push towards a greener future, as part of the Provincial Government’s ‘Clean Cebu Campaign,’ we do so with confidence and self-assurance,” she added.
She also cited Japan’s continued support for Cebu’s environmental initiatives.
“We do so without fear and hesitation because Japan is with us,” Baricuatro said.
Ministry of Environment Japan Vice Minister for Global Environmental Affairs Kentaro Doi said Japan is ready to share its experience in waste management and environmental technologies.
“For us in Japan, we struggled with these problems as well and we tried to work on solutions for the past 30 years,” Doi said through an interpreter.
“We are very happy to share our know-how and experience with you so that Cebu, as well as the Philippines, can speed up the process of solving the problem,” he added.
The Guun facility currently processes about 50 to 75 tons of plastic and paper waste daily, converting them into fluff fuel used by cement companies as an alternative energy source.
During discussions, stakeholders proposed expanding the plan into integrated Green Transformation or GX Parks that would combine waste processing with other environmental systems.
Danao City Mayor Ramon “Nito” Durano III said the city is willing to host a GX Park for northern Cebu and has offered at least one hectare of government land for the project.
Provincial Planning and Development Office representative Elizar Sabinay Jr. said a site for southern Cebu is still being identified.
Officials also noted that further studies are needed to determine the scale and capacity requirements of the proposed facilities, while private partners assured continued support for the province’s environmental programs.
Photo courtesy of Cebu Province / Facebook
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