City Mayor John Geesnell Yap II (second from left, first row) witnesses the testing event of the Advance Solutions (pyrolysis) waste processing system with other city officials (from left, first row): City Councilor Eleazar Borja, Solid Waste Management Officer (SWMO) Lito Taladua, City Administrator Cathelyn Torremocha; and (from left, second row): City Environment and Natural Resources Officer (CENRO) Ceasar Pelaez, City General Services Officer (CGSO) Dr. Chris John Rener Torralba, Consultant Agaton Dela Serna Jr, Teofilita Tayona, and City Planning and Development Officer (CPDO) Engr. Estella Margate. Contributed photo

The City Government has acquired a new waste management equipment and has successfully rehabilitated its open dumpsite in Dampas, now being turned into a one-stop facility to manage trash generated by city residents and businesses.

The Advance Solutions (AS) equipment had its initial test run on Apr. 19, 2021, according to the City Media Bureau

 Mayor John Geesnell Yap II with key department heads and personnel witnessed the initial operation of the AS equipment.

This latest equipment acquisition of Tagbilaran City converts trash into ash using heat, the City Media Bureau reports.

According to City Consultant Agaton Dela Serna, Jr, once the rubbish is segregated, it goes directly to the shredder and into the AS machine.

The AS utilizes a thermal decomposition process called pyrolysis. It is a process which uses heat to transform waste into ash.

“Unlike incinerators, the Advance Solutions (AS) eliminates smoke by using a water sprinkler and multiple scrubbers. Once an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) is secured, the AS can process 2,000 kilos of waste in an hour. It is more economical since payment for the tipping fee and haulers will be saved”, Dela Serna said. 

The AS equipment is scheduled to be on regular operation by July 1, coinciding with the City’s Charter Day, the City Media Bureau bared.

As for the rehabilitated open dumpsite in Dampas, according to the City Environment and Natural Resources Officer (CENRO) Ceasar Pelaez, the 9,000-square meter property is now being used as the Central Material Recovery Facility of Tagbilaran hosting more than 30 workers focusing on the segregation of collected garbage.

Pelaez also shared that the facility has a bottle crusher and a biodegrable compost which would convert wastes into reusable raw materials.

Mayor Yap is optimistic with these new developments in the waste disposal system in the City.

“This facility promises a lot of good things to the Tagbilaranons. Our wastes will be managed efficiently and possible livelihood activities will be birthed out. But this facility is still not enough to manage our wastes efficiently; we need the support and cooperation of each household. Let’s all be mindful of our wastes, through proper segregation, we can make our contribution count”, Yap bared.