Vic Metal Fabrication and Environmental Services Inc. held the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) Training Center groundbreaking and Cebu Waste Management Facility inauguration last July 28 at its 8,647 sq. m. property in Brgy. Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City.

The integrated waste management solution will help address the challenges in waste management that the province is facing.

Leading the activity were Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard ‘Ahong’ Chan, and Vic Metal President and CEO Victoriano Ocon. They were joined by representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Agriculture (DA), Pollution Control Association of the Philippines Inc., MatLuster Corp., and PT. Indopower International. 

Vic Metal has already completed the first and second phases of the project which involves the construction of the Water Laboratory for Wastewater Analysis and Treatment as well as the MRF and Treatment, Storage, and Disposal (TSD) facility for the recovery, segregation, treatment, and disposal of different wastes.

This is expected to reduce residual wastes disposed of in Cebu landfills to around 50 tons per month. The project will also diminish the mishandling of waste and other waste-related environmental issues, and the hazards posed by illegal dumpsites and mismanaged landfills in the province. 

The design implementation ensures proper segregation, recycling, and composting of solid waste and wastewater treatment through different technologies.

“The said facility will significantly reduce waste disposed in landfills which has become a major urban development issue in Cebu,” said DILG Secretary Atty. Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. in a video message dedicated to the event.

“I hope these kinds of initiatives, private and public sector partnership, will be enhanced and that similar environment related projects will also be emulated by other local government units in the future,” added Secretary Abalos. 

The last phase of the project involves the development of a training center, the first in the province to highlight education and training on proper solid and liquid waste management.  It also includes the building of a park for recreation and the promotion of environmental awareness.

While the project is a private sector initiative, Vic Metal Fabrication works with the public sector to ensure that municipal solid wastes will be collected, transported, treated, and disposed of properly. Its successful operation will positively impact the community, the economy, and the environment. 

“Vic Metal Fabrication and Environmental Services Incorporated commits to actively ensure the management of wastes from proper segregation, recycling and composting reduction of wastes disposed in landfills as well as treatment of wastewater, and manage other wastes generated by the different sectors of society,” says Victoriano Ocon, President & CEO of Vic Metal Fabrication and Environmental Services, Inc.

Cebu province has a population of over 5 million as of 2019. Its growing economy and population have led to increasing infrastructure development, contributing to more waste generated. 

The projected daily waste generation for the province by 2025 is 1.2M tons.  This will go directly to landfills if proper waste management is not implemented. 

Negative effects of the mismanagement of wastes can contribute to the loss of biodiversity; land, water, and air pollution; generation of greenhouse gasses; and the risk of several diseases and health problems.