City to collect used cooking oil from biz

THE city government of Davao City starts with the collection of used cooking oil from business establishments and fastfood chains which will be converted into biodiesel gas.

Yesterday, August 25, a biodiesel plant was inaugurated in Maa, Davao City. According to Davao City assistant city administrator attorney Tristan Dwight Domingo, this project is a partnership between Biomass Japan, Inc., the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and the local government unit of Davao City.

Biomass Japan, Inc. was first reported to have expressed interest in this investment in the city three years ago. The entire biodiesel plant that would convert used cooking oil into biodiesel gas amounts to about P10 million.

“Our used cooking oil actually ends up in our drainage and water systems that contribute to the flooding, water pollution. As we convert our used cooking oil into biodiesel, this can help against gas and air pollution in the city as the vehicles that will be using this biodiesel will have cleaner emissions from their vehicles,” said Domingo.

Currently, collection points had been designated in different barangays in the city. He said instead of throwing away the used oil, households can collect these used oil and have them stored up in the collection points in their respective barangays. Collection points will be accepting used oil everyday, he said.

Domingo added they are now prioritizing collection from big establishments such as businesses and fastfood chains. He said since the start of their collection, they had been collecting an average of about 700 to 1,000 liters of used oil per day.