Bacolod City is moving forward with a major overhaul of its solid waste management approach after the Sangguniang Panlungsod approved the plan of Mayor Greg Gasataya to establish a large-scale waste-to-energy (WTE) facility valued at P4-billion. The decision marks a significant step in the city’s push to modernize how it handles garbage while exploring energy recovery solutions.
During a session held on April 29, local lawmakers gave authorization for the mayor to enter into a lease agreement with Forza Development Corp. (FDC), paving the way for the project’s implementation. Under the arrangement, the private company will take full responsibility for financing, constructing, and operating the facility, which will be located within the sanitary landfill area in Barangay Felisa.
The project will be developed inside what is now designated as the Bacolod Integrated Recycling and Technological Hub WTE Industrial Zone, positioning it as a central component of the city’s long-term waste management framework.
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No Direct Cost for the City
City legal officer Karol Joseph Chiu highlighted the significance of the approval, noting that the initiative does not require financial spending from the local government or taxpayers. He described the development as a “landmark development,” emphasizing its fiscal advantage for the city.
“We only provide the lot. They will spend their own money in developing the WTE,” said Chiu.
“I heard Davao is also developing their own, but in the Philippines, Bacolod is set to be among the first to fully develop this kind of technology,” Chiu added.
Under the agreement, Bacolod will contribute the land while FDC shoulders the entire cost of development. In return, the city is expected to benefit through real property taxes, a share in revenue generated from electricity production, and employment opportunities for local residents once operations begin.
The project was awarded to FDC after it was recognized as the highest calculated responsive bidder, with an annual lease offer of P1.01 million.
Turning Waste into Energy and Opportunity
The waste-to-energy facility is a key component of the Gasataya administration’s broader strategy to address long-standing garbage management concerns while transforming waste into a usable resource. City officials see the initiative as both an environmental solution and a potential economic driver.
“This shows a strong commitment for Bacolod City to establish the WTE,” Chiu added.
He also expressed optimism that the project will help position Bacolod as a frontrunner in environmental innovation and more sustainable urban development practices.
For residents, the project signals potential improvements in waste management efficiency and job creation, while also reflecting a broader shift among Philippine cities toward technology-driven solutions for environmental challenges that affect everyday living conditions.
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