With France-based WTE expert: Capitol signs pact

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Provincial Government and a private group have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the development and implementation of a Waste-to-Energy (WTE) facility to address the long-standing problem of solid waste in various towns and cities in Cebu province.

The Capitol has formalized its agreement with SUEZ (Singapore) Services PTE. LTD., a company that specializes in water and waste management solutions.

The agreement was signed yesterday at the Capitol after an initial evaluation by the Cebu Province’s Economic Enterprise Council (EEC) that the group “has legal, technical and financial qualifications to potentially implement the WTE project”, which will be developed in Barangay Tinaan, City of Naga.

Under the MOU, the SUEZ Group will submit to the province any other complementary documents relative to the proposal of the said project.

“Suez may be replaced at any time by (i) an affiliate thereof or (ii) a joint venture company provided that the following conditions are met: a) prior notification of the Province; b) financially and technically capable to undertake the said project; c) and approval of the Economic Enterprise Council, comprising SUEZ or an affiliate thereof, providing that it notifies the Province” read part of the MOU.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, representing Cebu Province, and Kohei Kimura the BOT Development Director of SUEZ Group, signed the agreement.

During the signing, Garcia said the partnership of Cebu Province with SUEZ Group is a step further in the process of choosing the best partner to implement the project, which is expected to address the solid waste problem in the province

The project would be the first in the country once it will materialize.

“We cannot delay a moment longer because the Cebuanos have been waiting and have been suffering for too long. We have to be able to get things done” Garcia said.

To proceed with the implementation of the said project, Garcia proposed to have a two-day discussion between the Capitol through EEC and SUEZ Group to run through every detail of the partnership. to come up with a “workable, logical, implementable” memorandum of agreement (MOA).

Garcia plans to sign the MOA on December 16, the same day the Provincial Government is set to light up the whole Capitol building for Christmas.

In September this year, the SUEZ Group submitted to the EEC its unsolicited preliminary proposal to partner with the Province in building and operating the WTE facility, through a Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) scheme.

October 10, the company was awarded the “original proponent status” for the said project which gave them the right to match any lower-priced offers from other investors through a Swiss Challenge.

According to Garcia, no one challenged the proposal, and so the Capitol proceeded with partnering with SUEZ Group.

SUEZ is a France-based global utility company with expertise in water and waste management. It is operating in over 70 countries across the globe, with its facilities recognized for sustainable and eco-friendly projects. — /RHM (FREEMAN)