‘Deeply concerned’

• Environment groups quiz JICA on WTE project

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews) -- At least 57 national and international environmental groups said they are “deeply concerned” over the integrity of the claims of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) that it has not been supporting the development of a multi-billion peso waste-to-energy (WTE) incinerator project in this city.

The statement, signed by environmental alliances and organizations, urged

JICA to “withdraw its support for Waste-to-Energy in

Davao City and elsewhere in the country in respect to our ban on incinerators.”

The statement was released in response to JICA’s January

26 statement that it has not been supporting the WTE project in Davao City.

In a three-page statement dated January 30 but e-mailed on Saturday, February 4, the groups maintained that JICA has been instrumental in introducing the WTE technology to this city and reiterated their strong opposition to the proposed project.

They also questioned JICA for its alleged lack of accountability on past and present efforts in promoting and investing in false solutions to the waste management and climate in the city.

Fifty-seven groups from different countries -27 from the Philippines and 30 from Indonesia, India, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Vietnam, People’s Republic of China, United Kingdom, United States of America, Mongolia, South Africa, Tanzania, and Argentina have joined calls for JICA “to withdraw its support for the WTE incinerator project and elsewhere in the country” in respect of the national ban on incinerators.

Among the 27 signatory groups from the Philippines are Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS), Inc., Ecoteneo, Magsasaka at Siyentipiko para sa Pagunlad (MASIPAG-Mindanao), Mintal Resource Collectors Association and Panalipdan Youth-Davao, Pag-asa Youth Association of the Philippines-Mintal Chapter, Sustainable Davao Movement, and Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines (YACAP)Mindanao.

The involvement of JICA in the WTE project started as early as 2010, the statement said.

It noted that the development assistance, which began as a collaboration program with the private

BING GONZALES A CANDIDATE answers questions during the screening of Mutya ng Dabaw held at the Waterfront Insular Hotel on Saturday, Feb. 4. The coronation night will take place on March 17 at USEP Gymnasium and Cultural Center.