CALAUAN, Laguna — The Municipality of Calauan has approved the development of an integrated sanitary landfill and waste management facility in Barangay Imok, a project that could introduce waste-to-energy technology and expand the town’s capacity to manage solid waste.
Mayor Roseller Caratihan said the project was approved through Municipal Ordinance No. 03-12-2026, which grants a development permit for the proposed facility by South Luzon Waste Management Corporation.
The project will cover approximately 84.23 hectares, including a 1,400-meter access road. Plans call for an engineered sanitary landfill and an integrated waste management system designed to initially process around 1,800 metric tons of waste for energy recovery and other development purposes.
According to Caratihan, only about five hectares of the property will be allocated for the proposed waste-to-energy facility. The rest of the area could eventually accommodate industrial parks, housing developments, and public green spaces.
The facility may also serve neighboring municipalities in Laguna’s third district, potentially providing a wider solution to the growing volume of solid waste in the area
Calauan studies waste-to-energy technology
Caratihan said he and members of the municipal government traveled to Vietnam in May to examine existing waste-to-energy facilities and learn more about the technology and its operations.
A Japanese company has also expressed interest in investing in the project and has presented a proposed system capable of processing about 2,000 metric tons of waste and generating nearly 12 megawatts of electricity.
The proposed technology is also expected to limit air emissions and reduce waste residue into a sand-like material, according to the mayor.
The municipal ordinance requires the project to observe environmental, social, and governance safeguards, as well as applicable municipal executive orders and other regulatory requirements.
Mayor seeks national government support
Caratihan said the project is aligned with the national government’s efforts to modernize solid waste management, including the development of waste-to-energy and waste treatment technologies.
He said the municipality has already sent two letters to the Office of the President requesting support and attention for the proposed facility.
The mayor expressed hope that the national government would consider the Calauan project as part of broader efforts to improve solid waste management and explore technologies that can turn waste into a potential source of energy.
If fully developed and implemented in compliance with environmental regulations, the project could provide Calauan and nearby communities with additional waste management capacity while creating opportunities for energy recovery and future land development.
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