The City Government and the Manila Water Total Solutions (MWTS) are fast tracking negotiations for a Joint Venture Agreement on the implementation of the Waste-to-Value Project (WTV) that will ensure proper treatment and processing of solid waste while lowering dependency on landfills in the city.

During the third kick-off/ negotiation meeting with MWTS via zoom recently, Mayor Beng Climaco cited the importance of the project as she directed the Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources (OCENR) to closely work with MWTS to expedite the approval of the agreement.

Three kick-off / negotiation meetings were already held to discuss the 99 suggested negotiation points provided by the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Center.  More in-depth discussions are scheduled for the technical, financial and legal aspects of the waste-to-value project. These will decide whether or not an Issuance of Joint Certification agreement will be reached by the 3rd week of March this year.

The waste-to-value project is the effort of the city government to ensure proper treatment and processing of solid waste while lowering dependency on landfills. Through environmentally-sound waste handling, along with the development of a world-class treatment facility, the program is expected to significantly reduce the carbon footprint and greenhouse gases emissions of the city.

Once realized, the government’s integrated solid waste management program is expected to advance Zamboanga City’s earthconomy. It will strengthen its potentials as a sustainable business destination open to green projects to address climate change.

The members of the Local Government Unit – Public Private Partnership for the People (LGU-P4) Selection Committee present during the zoom meeting were Councilor El King Omaga, Industrial Group of Zamboanga Inc. (IGZI) President Arriel Onesa, IGZI Executive Director Roberto Valerio, PHIDCO Chairman Efren Wee, City Administrator concurrent LEDIPO Marie Angelique C. Go, and lead negotiator Atty. Francois Xavier Sinon.

The members of the Technical Working Group were duly represented as well from the Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources, City Legal Office, City Treasurer’s Office, City Budget Office, City Planning and Development Office, City Engineer’s Office, City Accountant’s Office, City Agriculturist’s Office, Office of the City Veterinarian, and Office of the City Mayor – Investment Promotion Services. (Investment Promotion Services PR)