CEBU, Philippines — An American company plans to invest in an Integrated Solid Waste Management Program in the province that can help diminish the current garbage crisis in Cebu even as another foreign company eyes the putting up of a biomass facility in Bantayan Island.

Sinova Capital has responded to the Cebu provincial government’s invitation to submit a bid on a waste-to-energy facility that encompasses garbage collection, segregation, and energy generation.

Sinova Capital co-owner Aldan Stretch told Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia that his company will need to conduct a feasibility study to determine the amount and characterization of the waste generated in the area so that they would know how big the facility should be.

If it is successful in the bidding, the company will fund the project and the Cebu provincial government will provide the land for the facility. This will be Sinova's second project in the Philippines. It also has similar investments in Thailand.

Cebu is an ideal site because of the support of its local government. It is also the second largest in the country in terms of population.

Pointed out Stretch, “We believe it's a very attractive area to do waste-to-energy facility in since it's densely populated.” At the same time, he said, “There is also a solid waste management issue and shortage of power” in the province.

The facility, with capacity to generate approximately 10 to 20 megawatts of energy, can be made operational in 18 months.

Meanwhile, in Bantayan Island, a Dutch firm is conducting a feasibility study on biomass energy generation. Bantayan is well-known for its poultry industry which could very well provide the facility with waste to transform to energy.

Former National Power Corporation president Guido Alfredo Delgado said the project is expected to lower electricity costs of the island. At the moment, the Cebu provincial government helps pay the island's power dues.

Delgado, who is involved with the project, recently met with Garcia, Congressman Benhur Salimbangon, and three municipal mayors on the island to discuss the project.

He said the Dutch firm interested in implementing the project could start constructing the plant by August. “With this, power generation here will not solely depend on the price of oil,” said Garcia.