• THERESA MAE DULMAN
Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya raised a clarification directed at Felisa Barangay Captain Francisco Hilado, urging the village leader to be more informed regarding the city’s Waste-to-Energy (WTE) project.
The mayor’s statement comes in response to Hilado’s claims of being unaware that the facility would be established within the Bacolod Integrated Recycling and Technology Hub that is located in his jurisdiction.
Countering the claims, the mayor pointed out that the WTE component has long been an integral part of the city’s Solid Waste Management Plan and the City Development Council’s agenda.
He said that Barangay Felisa is represented on the Solid Waste Management Board and that village officials have consistently attended meetings where the plans were discussed.
The mayor noted that Hilado himself was present during a recent WTE consultation held at a local hotel.
The mayor stressed that the project is still in its early stages, noting that Environmental Compliance Certificate consultations are still forthcoming and that appropriate agencies have yet to conduct their necessary reviews.
He added that the city has not even decided on a specific technology yet, as they are strictly following a step-by-step process guided by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
The mayor cautioned against spreading misinformation, stating that the project is currently in the “paperwork” phase as a DOE pilot project.
He urged officials to fully understand the situation before speaking publicly, emphasizing that individuals should not issue statements that lack factual basis.
Gasataya said the direction of the project has been transparent since day one, and any claims to the contrary do not reflect the documented consultations and meetings held by the city.*
