Jill Banta, regional coordinator of Plastic Free Pilipinas, said these 20 barangays are scattered in District 1 and District 3, namely, Barangays Mintal, Sto. Niño, Tugbok, Langub, Waan, Callawa, Riverside, Balengaeng, Tacunan, Biao Guianga, Angalan, Los Amigos, Talandang, New Valencia, New Carmen, Matina Biao, Tagakpan, Ula, and Catalunan Grande.
“Ang WTE facility project ay ipapatayo sa isang agricultural community kung saan ang karamihan ay mula sa low income na mga pamilya (The WTE facility will be put-up at an agricultural community where many low income families are living),” Banta said during the group’s protest at the City Council.
She said the WTE facility, which will be constructed in a 10-hectare land in Barangay Biao Escuela, will affect more than 3,000 nearby residents by toxic emissions such as dioxins and furans.
The group backed the statement of Prof. Jorge Emmanuel who said the WTE technology, which will be used in Davao City, is an old type of technology incapable of burning waste at a safe temperature.
“Ibig sabihin malaki ang health risk nito. Pwede ito magdulot ng cancer, respiratory disease, developmental defects sa mga kabataan. At risk rin ang mga pregnant women at mga senior citizens (There is a huge health risk. This may cause cancer, respiratory disease, and developmental defects sa mga kabataan. Pregnant women and senior citizens are also at risk),” Banta said.
Councilor Pamela Librado-Morata of the First Congressional District of Davao City also expressed concerns over the proposed WTE project, saying that she is voting against its approval.
Morata said the WTE is known to cause environmental problems that adds to the climate crisis since it produces toxic by-products that persist in waterways and air that may pollute the agro supply given that Biao Escuela is an agri-community.
“WTE is expensive yet produces minimal energy compared to genuine renewable energy resources. Instead of reducing waste at the source, it encourages the production of more waste in order to feed the facility. Likewise, this disincentivizes recycling and other sustainable waste management methods,” Morata said during her privilege speech on Tuesday, April 19.
The WTE Incineration project contradicts already established laws such as Republic Act 8749 or the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999, Republic Act 9513 also known as Renewable Energy Act, and Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.
For them, the City Government should prioritize sustainable alternatives such as support and proper implementation of the Republic Act 9003, the No to Single-Use Plastics Ordinance, and encouraging the Zero Waste Model in communities and barangays, among others.
“If such practices are applied in 182 barangays, these efforts can divert almost 1,000 tons of food waste per day away from landfills and incinerators,” Morata said.
