1 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  _____ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippine is currently facing a garbage crisis. We are producing more and more 
garbage with no end in sight especially so with the increasing population of the country. Data 
from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) show that only 30 
percent of barangays nationwide have materials recovery facilities (MRF), while only 30 
percent of cities and municipalities are being served by sanitary landfills. 
One way to address this crisis is to strengthen and develop waste-to-energy solutions. 
At present, there are already some waste-to-energy facilities operating but there is further 
need for more. 
This bill seeks to provide a national policy and regulatory framework for the entire value 
chain of Waste-to-Energy (WTE) technologies and facilities. This will lead to a more 
sustainable energy source, energy security, and environmentally-sound methods in resource 
recovery, resource conservation, and treatment of residual wastes. 
In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this measure is earnestly requested. 
RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ 
November 11, 2022
4:53 pm
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NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  _____ 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL ENERGY POLICY AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR 
FACILITIES UTILIZING WASTE-TO-ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be referred to as the “Waste-to-Energy Act”. 
SEC. 2.  Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote 
sustainable energy, energy security, and environmentally-sound methods in resource 
recovery, resource conservation, and treatment of residual wastes through the utilization of 
waste-to-energy facilities. 
SEC. 3. Waste-to-Energy. –  The term Waste-to-Energy or “WTE”, hereby classified as a 
renewable energy resource, shall cover the processes to generate clean and sustainable 
energy through the treatment of municipal wastes, or processing of such wastes into a fuel 
source.  
For this purpose, all technologies for processing, treatment, or thermal destruction of residual 
municipal wastes shall be allowed: Provided, however, That these technologies shall not emit 
poisonous and toxic fumes defined under Republic Act No. 8749, otherwise known as the 
“Clean Air Act”.  
SEC. 4. Role of the Department of Energy. – In addition to its powers and functions under 
Republic Act No. 7638, otherwise known as “The Department of Energy Act of 1992”, as 
amended, the Department of Energy (DOE) shall be primarily responsible for the 
implementation and enforcement of this Act. The DOE shall, in coordination with the 
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Health (DOH), 
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and National Solid Wastes Management 
Commission (NSWMC), promote the use of state-of-the-art, environmentally-sound and safe 
technologies to recover energy through appropriate handling, treatment, thermal destruction, 
utilization, and disposal of residual wastes. For this purpose, the DOE shall: 
(a)
Issue permits and accreditation certificates to WTE facilities based on the energy
output, and determine the standards, criteria, and requirements applicable for each kind of
WTE facility pursuant to Republic Act No. 7638, Republic Act No. 9136,  otherwise known as
the “Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) of 2001”, Republic Act No. 9367, otherwise
known as the “Biofuels Act of 2006”, Republic Act No. 9513, otherwise known as the
“Renewable Energy Act of 2008”, and other relevant laws, rules, and regulations;
(b)
Include a WTE strategy in the Philippine Energy Plan, taking into consideration the
National Solid Waste Management Framework;
(c)
Regularly submit to the NSWMC and make available to the public, especially to
potential WTE investors, national and local information on the following:
(i)
Current and potential uses of WTE facilities in relation to solid waste management,
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(ii) 
Inventory of existing WTE facilities, and  
(iii) 
Other relevant information; and  
(d) 
Perform all other acts that are necessary and incidental to accomplish the objectives 
of this Act. 
 
SEC. 5. Role of the DENR. – Consistent with the provisions of this Act, the DENR shall ensure 
that the establishment and operation of WTE facilities shall comply with the standards set 
pursuant to the following laws: 
a) 
Republic Act No. 8749, otherwise known as the “Clean Air Act of 1999”, as regards 
emission standards; 
b) 
Republic Act No. 9003, otherwise known as the “Ecological Solid Waste Management 
Act of 2000”, with respect to guidelines on waste reduction, segregation, collection, recycling, 
composting, and recovery;  
c) 
Republic Act No. 9275, otherwise known as the “Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004”, 
in relation to effluent standards; 
d) 
Presidential Decree No. 1586, otherwise known as the “Environmental Impact 
Statement System”; and  
e) 
Republic Act No. 6969, otherwise known as the “Toxic Substances and Hazardous 
and Nuclear Waste Control Act of 1990”.    
Moreover, the DENR shall ensure that all WTE facilities shall be appropriately fitted with 
continuous monitoring equipment, which shall also record and make publicly available their 
emissions or air pollutant concentrations data. 
 
SEC. 6.  Role of Local Government Units (LGUs) in Setting Up Treatment Facilities. – 
Consistent with the powers, functions, and responsibilities under Republic Act No. 7160, 
otherwise known as the “Local Government Code of 1991”, the LGUs shall implement in their 
respective jurisdictions, or as clustered LGUs, a comprehensive solid waste management plan 
that will integrate the WTE objective into their local programs on waste reduction, collection, 
transportation, segregation, recycling, composting, and recovery.  
 
SEC. 7. Permits and Licenses. – The procedure for the issuance of permits and licenses for 
all kinds of WTE facilities shall be governed by Republic Act No. 11234, otherwise known as 
the “Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop Act”.  
 
SEC. 8.  Fines and Penalties. – Violations of the provisions of this Act, or the standards or 
rules and regulations promulgated for treatment facilities shall be fined or penalized under the 
provisions of Presidential Decree No. 1586; Republic Act No. 6969; Republic Act No. 8749; 
Republic Act No. 9003; and Republic Act No. 9275, otherwise known as the “Philippine Clean 
Water Act of 2004”. For WTE facilities, the penal schemes established under the Philippine 
Grid Code and Philippine Distribution Code pursuant to Republic Act No. 9136, shall likewise 
apply. 
 
SEC. 9. Congressional Oversight. – The Joint Congressional Power Commission (JCPC), 
created under Republic Act No. 9136 and renamed as Joint Congressional Energy 
Commission under Republic Act No. 11285, otherwise known as the “Energy Efficiency and 
Conservation Act”, shall exercise oversight powers over the implementation of this Act.   
 
SEC. 10.  Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within ninety (90) calendar days upon its 
effectivity, the DOE shall, in coordination with the DENR, and in consultation with the DOH, 
NSWMC, DILG, and public and private stakeholders, issue rules and regulations for the 
effective implementation of this Act.  
 


 
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SEC. 11. Separability Clause. – If, for any reason, any portion or provision of this Act is 
declared unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not affected thereby shall 
remain in full force and effect. 
 
SEC. 12. Repealing Clause. – Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order, letter 
of instruction, rule or regulation inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed 
or modified accordingly. 
 
SEC. 13. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the 
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,