Boracay eyes waste-to-energy facilities amid excess garbage

BORACAY authorities are considering a waste-toenergy facility as a long-term solution to the tourist destination’s garbage problem which has contributed to state agencies recommending its closure starting April 26.

“It is going to be entered into by the local government and the private sector,” said Jonas R. Leones, undersecretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, on the sidelines of briefing to announce the agency’s rehabilitation plans during the island’s closure to tourists.

“We were informed that the local government has already talked to someone. They already have a potential partnership,” he said.

He said the capacity of the proposed power plant will depend on the waste being generated by the island, which he estimated at around 90 to 115 tons per day.

He said the island is able to haul out only about 30 to 40 tons daily, leaving a mounting garbage problem that could potentially render the island’s waters unsafe for residents and tourists.

There is a corresponding number of megawatts that can be generated from the excess waste, he said.

Should the project materialize, Boracay will add to the growing number of local governments that are opting to adopt waste-to-energy as a solution to their garbage problem. —