December 11, 2025 · The Department of Energy (DOE) is looking to exempt waste-to-energy (WTE) projects from several government mandates. This follows the recent move to integrate more renewable energy (RE) into the Philippine power supply. One notable exception is for the competitive selection process (CSP).
The big picture
The competitive selection process was implemented in 2018 through Department Circular No. DC2018-02-0003. It calls for a transparent bidding system in the Philippine energy sector. This means distribution utilities shall select power suppliers through competitive bidding and public accountability to ensure fair prices for consumers.
On October 16, 2025, the DOE issued a draft circular that allows WTE facilities to move forward without it.
Eligible “Pioneer WTE Projects” are defined by the DOE as WTE facilities installed no later than 2027. These can benefit from priority permitting, priority dispatch, and other incentives (including CSP exemption).
This follows the Renewable Energy Act of 2008, which mandates accelerated efforts to develop, explore, and utilize renewable energy resources. It also reduces “the country’s dependence on fossil fuels and mitigates greenhouse gas emissions.” Moreover, it aligns with Section 5 of Department Circular No. DC2022-10-0031, which grants “Preferential Dispatch status to any future emerging RE technologies that may be approved by the DOE.”
The October 16 circular emphasized that the integration of WTE in the Philippine power mix represents “a strategic approach to addressing the dual challenges of growing energy demand and increasing solid waste generation.”
The circular emphasized that waste management is a real problem and positioned WTE as “for environmental sustainability.” It notes that sanitary landfills are overcapacity and claims that this move would “reduce methane and greenhouse gas emissions.” It cited that in 2022, the National Capital Region (NCR), through the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), spent PHP 3.336 billion on garbage collection services alone.
So what?
The Philippines is the first and only country with a national ban on incineration. That is possible through the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 and the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000. However, WTE projects are now threatening to go around these restrictions under the guise of “waste-to-energy.”
Environmental groups caution that WTE is not zero-waste. They argue that a large portion of the energy in WTE comes from non-renewable, fossil-derived plastics.
In fact, a recent post from the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) states that a 1,000-tonne incinerator will emit 328,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. That’s roughly equal to 71,413 cars running in a year.
GAIA also cites the “Waste incinerators undermine clean energy goals” study by Neil Tangri, which describes incineration as a high-carbon power source. This, Tangri argues, makes it counterproductive to the renewable or clean energy agenda. The study emphasizes that a waste management strategy based on recycling and composting would be more beneficial. It will also open up employment opportunities for locals. (Read: This captain knows where his trash goes. Do you?)
“Incineration is not a short-term or long-term solution. You can’t solve this problem by building multi-million dollar facilities to be subsidized by public funds. That will just transform solid waste into another toxic pollution problem. Doing so will just create more problems,” said Anne Larracas, Managing Director for Asia Pacific of the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA), in a press release.
Now what?
The circular identifies key action points for the Department of Energy, the Renewable Energy Management Bureau-Biomass Energy Management Division (REMB-BEMD), and other government agencies for the next 30-60 days.
Some action areas to note are:
- Formulating policies to maximize benefits for host LGUs,
- Identifying priority locations for WTE facilities,
- Consolidating and monitoring developments from concerned agencies and stakeholders, etc.
Moreover, the WTE Act was filed in May 2023 by Senator Win Gatchalian, then vice chair of the Senate Committee on Energy. Representative Ryan Recto also supported this bill in July 2025, with an explanatory note hoping to classify WTE as a renewable energy source.
As of this writing, the bill has not yet been passed to Congress.
Dig deeper:
Competitive Selection Process Advisory (2018)
Supplementing Department Circular No. DC2021-11-0036
Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999
Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000
Facebook post: Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives
Study by Neil Tangri: “Waste incinerators undermine clean energy goals”
Press release: Incineration not a solution, green groups warn Western brands found polluting the Philippines
Waste-to-Energy Act
Explanatory note by Ryan Recto for the WTE Act
