Chinese firm offers to study Mandaue’s waste disposal

CEBU, Philippines - A Chinese firm has proposed to conduct a feasibility study on the establishment of a waste-to-energy facility in Mandaue City as a solution to the city’s growing solid waste it is generating.

The Newsky Environment Co., a waste-to-energy firm from Xiamen, Fujian, China, said the study will be at no cost to the city government.

Mayor Gabriel Luigi Quisumbing submitted to the City Council the draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Mandaue and the Newsky (China) Environment Co. Ltd., represented by its Chairman, Mr. Chik Tsan Lam, for a feasibility study on the establishment of the facility.

"Should you find everything in order, I humbly seek your usual prompt and favorable resolution for authority to sign on this matter," Quisumbing said in his letter to the council dated May 23.

The proposal was jointly referred to the Committee on Laws and Ordinances and the Committee on Environmental Protection for their comment.

The Newsky Environment Co. operates 10 waste-to-energy technologies in different cities in China and Bangkok.

Quisumbing earlier admitted that the city government has been challenged by an increasing solid waste generated from its growing populace.

Based on statistical data, the projected solid waste generation in the city grows at an average of 86 percent per day for residential wastes and 14 percent per year for non-residential wastes.

Currently, the city's solid waste is disposed in an open landfill, which is already insufficient and beset with sanitary and environmental issues.

Quisumbing said he intends to close the dumpsite because, for many years, it has not been compliant with the environmental laws.

The city continues not to charge any collection fee from every household in Mandaue. —/GAN (FREEMAN)