Environmental groups have called out the Iloilo City government for its lack of transparency over a planned Waste-to-Energy (WtE) facility, warning of serious health and environmental risks tied to the project.
At a forum and press conference held Tuesday at the University of the Philippines Visayas, members of the newly-formed Green-Empowered Movement demanded the disclosure of all project documents related to the Integrated Solid Waste Management Facility (ISWMF), which includes a WtE incinerator and refuse-derived fuel (RDF) processing.
The coalition, composed of groups such as Green Forum Panay-Guimaras, Greenpeace Iloilo Volunteers, People Against False Solutions, Green EcoWarriors, and Youth Voices Count, said the city entered a joint venture with Metro Pacific Water Investments Corp. in early 2024 without proper consultation.
“The city must inform Ilonggos how they decided on such hazardous technology, whether people have been told the risks, and what the city’s plan is to protect the community from health impacts and pollution,” said Romela Gianan of Greenpeace Iloilo Volunteers.
The project site, in Barangay Ingore, lies adjacent to a coal-fired power plant and within 50 meters of residential areas, raising concerns over forced displacement and increased pollution. Coalition members said local officials in Ingore were unaware of the project until civil society groups visited in mid-2024.
“Let’s not be greenwashed. A bane is a bane,” said Kyla Balibagoso of Green EcoWarriors. “Let’s protect our communities and the next generations to come.”
The groups argued that the public consultation held in February 2025 came too late and violated guidelines from the National Economic and Development Authority requiring early disclosure of joint venture terms.
“There is a need to highlight a green environmental agenda in the coming local elections to elect officials who will stand for the people’s welfare,” said Melvin Purzuelo, executive director of Green Forum Panay-Guimaras.
Environmental advocates stressed that WtE incineration and RDF co-processing contribute to air pollution and climate change and are being phased out in other countries due to health concerns.
“Real-world evidence of the failures of WtE incineration must not be ignored,” said Brex Arevalo of GAIA Asia Pacific. “Ilonggos do not deserve false solutions.”
The coalition urged the city to adopt zero waste systems, promote sustainable product design, and ban single-use plastics instead of relying on technologies they say only deepen waste and pollution problems.
“What cities don’t need is another problem in the form of incineration,” said Marian Ledesma, campaigner for Greenpeace Philippines. “Ilonggos and all Filipinos deserve safe and just solutions that put people and planet first.”
