Manila Water unit’s waste-to-energy proposal in Boracay gets ‘first option’ status

The proposal of Manila Water Total Solutions, a unit of Ayala-led Manila Water Co. Inc., to build a waste-to-energy facility in Boracay island has been given a first option status by the local government unit (LGU).

“We have already submitted our proposal to the LGU and it is considered as the primary project to be considered for their PPP [public-private partnership]. It is the first option already,” Boracay Island Water Co. general manager and chief operating officer Joseph Michael Santos said in a press briefing in Quezon City on Friday.

“They have to look into our proposal before accepting other offers from other companies ... It was submitted by Manila Water Total Solutions, a sister company,” Santos said.

Boracay Water, which provides water and used water services in the island, is also a subsidiary of Manila Water. The joint venture was formed in 2009 by Manila Water Philippine Ventures and Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority.

Manila Water Total Solutions provides consultancy services for water and used water network-related projects, as well as maintenance, repair and installation of after-meter connection and appurtenances.

Santos declined to disclose the amount of investment in the waste-to-energy facility in Boracay.

He said Manila Water is taking advantage of what is happening in the island.

“Nag ma-mount ang solid waste sa isla. And instead of transporting it to the mainland, proposing a waste-to-energy facility so that it can generate additional power,” he said.

"In our estimate, a tourist brings 2 kilos of waste and Boracay has an average of 2 million tourists per year, imagine how much wastes that is,” he said.

Boracay island was ordered closed for six months, starting April 26, for environmental cleanup and rehabilitation. —VDS, GMA News