Calauan Advances Waste-to-Energy Project, Eyes Regional Solution to Growing Waste Problem

CALAUAN, LAGUNA — The municipality of Calauan is taking steps toward establishing a large-scale waste management facility that could turn thousands of tons of garbage into a potential source of electricity, aligning with the national government’s push for modern waste-to-energy solutions.

Mayor Roseller Caratihan said Municipal Ordinance No. 03-12-2026 has approved the development permit for an integrated sanitary landfill and waste management facility in Barangay Imok. The project, proposed by South Luzon Waste Management Corporation, will cover approximately 84.23 hectares, including a 1,400-meter access road.

The planned facility is expected to initially process around 1,800 metric tons of waste, with waste treatment and energy recovery forming part of the proposed system.

Caratihan said only about five hectares would be allotted for the waste-to-energy plant, leaving the majority of the property potentially available for future industrial parks, housing developments, and public green spaces.

The project could also serve neighboring municipalities in Laguna’s third district, potentially providing a shared solution to the region’s growing solid waste management needs.

To study possible technologies, Caratihan and municipal personnel visited waste-to-energy facilities in Vietnam in May. A Japanese company has also expressed interest in the project, proposing a system that could process up to 2,000 metric tons of waste and generate nearly 12 megawatts of electricity while reducing air emissions and converting remaining waste residue into a sand-like material.

Beyond energy production, the proposed facility includes environmental, social, and governance safeguards as part of its development and compliance requirements.

Caratihan said the municipality has already written twice to the Office of the President to seek national government support, particularly as the administration continues to push for improvements in the country’s solid waste management system.

For Calauan, the proposed project could go beyond addressing garbage disposal—potentially transforming waste into electricity while opening opportunities for future development in the municipality.