Environmental expert Geol. Dana Gabrielle Tautho has urged Davao City to integrate the proposed waste-to-energy (WTE) facility into a broader waste management system. Tautho, a specialist in environmental science, emphasized that the new plant should not operate in isolation but should be part of a comprehensive approach to handling municipal solid waste.
The proposed WTE facility aims to convert non-recyclable waste into energy, reducing landfill use and generating electricity. Tautho highlighted that without proper integration, the plant could fail to address the city's growing waste challenges. She pointed out that Davao City currently lacks a structured waste collection and sorting system, which limits the effectiveness of any single solution.
Davao City has faced increasing waste management issues in recent years due to rapid urbanization and population growth. Local authorities have been under pressure to find sustainable solutions to reduce pollution and improve public health. Tautho suggested that the WTE facility could play a key role if paired with community education programs and improved waste segregation practices.
The city government has not yet finalized plans for the WTE facility, pending environmental assessments and public consultations. Tautho’s recommendations come as part of a broader push for more integrated and sustainable waste management strategies in urban areas across the Philippines.
