DENR, JICA to train local government units on solid waste management technology

November 13, 2017

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will start a three-year technical cooperation project to improve the capacity of selected local government units (LGUs) in using advanced or innovative technologies for solid waste management.

In some highly urbanized cities, increased waste generation has prompted local government units to study use of new technologies that could reduce volume of waste and treat them using proper technology, a statement from JICA said Monday.

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu and Chief Representative Susumu Ito of JICA signed recently the Record of Discussion to jumpstart the cooperation that will commence in 2018.

Cimatu expressed gratitude to JICA and said this partnership is very timely. Cimatu also assured close coordination between and among DENR, JICA and the LGUs for the smooth and successful implementation of the project.

Local governments commonly use rehabilitated dump sites for waste disposal and only a few operate sanitary landfills as land availability and freight costs have burdened many LGUs.

Advanced countries have since used new technologies to deal with waste management. In Japan, Kitakyushu City, for example, generates around 1,300 tons per day of solid waste and transforms around 70 percent of that into energy. To date, Kitakyushu also has strategic partnership on environment with Davao and Cebu cities.

Under the project, DENR and the LGUs personnel will have an opportunity to build their capacity on waste to energy and solid waste management technologies. Also, the LGUs will receive assistance on planning and development.

The National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC) has issued guidelines in 2016 on establishing and operating waste to energy technologies to set standards and safeguards. The guidelines will eventually be made into a department order to be approved by DENR. DMS