MALVAR, Batangas — The Municipality of Malvar is positioning itself as an emerging model for sustainable local governance after forging a waste-to-energy partnership with Alterna Verde Corporation and Damascus Road Logistics Corporation—an initiative that aligns environmental responsibility with long-term economic efficiency.
The agreement addresses the mounting pressure on Malvar’s waste management system, driven by rapid population growth and expanding commercial activity. By shifting to a centralized waste-to-energy (WTE) framework, the local government aims to reduce landfill dependency, stabilize waste disposal costs, and convert municipal solid waste into a productive energy input. The move makes Malvar the first local government unit in South Luzon to formally commit to a full-scale WTE arrangement.
Mayor Admiral Artemio Abu said the initiative reflects the municipality’s broader development strategy, where public health, sanitation, and sustainability are treated as economic enablers rather than regulatory burdens.
“This is an investment in efficiency and resilience,” Abu said. “By turning waste into energy, we reduce long-term environmental liabilities while supporting a cleaner and more productive local economy.”
At the center of the project is Alterna Verde Corporation’s Sustainable Environmental Resource Re-genesis System (SERRS™), which uses bio-methanation to process organic waste through anaerobic digestion. The system generates Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) for power generation and produces organic soil conditioners that can be reintegrated into agricultural supply chains. Unlike incineration-based systems, the process is carbon-neutral and compliant with environmental standards.
Gary Llanes, assistant vice president for strategic projects at Alterna Verde, said the partnership demonstrates how environmental technologies can be deployed at scale through collaboration with local governments.
“This project shows that sustainability solutions can be commercially viable, scalable, and compliant with both environmental and energy objectives,” Llanes said.
Damascus Road Logistics Corporation will support the operational side by ensuring efficient waste collection and transport, reinforcing supply chain reliability for the WTE facility.
Implementation will be supervised by Malvar’s Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office, with strengthened waste segregation policies and community engagement critical to operational success.
Beyond environmental gains, the initiative enhances Malvar’s attractiveness to investors and eco-conscious enterprises, signaling that the municipality is prepared to support green infrastructure, public-private collaboration, and sustainable growth—key considerations in today’s competitive investment landscape.| – BNN Integrated News
