Project Proteus - DOST NRCP

Science, Innovation, and Human Capital in Focus at the 2025 NRCP Annual Scientific Conference - National Research Council of the Philippines Science, Innovation, and Human Capital in Focus at the 2025 NRCP Annual Scientific Conference The Department of Science and Technology-National Research Council of the Philippines (DOST-NRCP) will showcase transformative research on science, innovation, and human capital during the 2025 Annual Scien...

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗨𝗦 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝗶𝗻 𝗩𝗶𝗲𝘁𝗻𝗮𝗺

PROTEUS researchers participated and presented their research outputs in the International Conference on Sustainable Energy and Green Technology 2023 held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam last December 10-13, 2023.

Along with other members of the Laboratory of Electrochemical Engineering (LEE), PROTEUS researchers Engr. Darwin Eugenio and Engr. Benjie Flores presented the results of the PROTEUS research project on waste-to-energy techno-economic analysis in the Philippines. Eugenio’s presentation, “Challenges in the Preparation of Municipal Solid Waste Database for Waste-to-Energy Techno-Economic Analysis in the Philippines”, tackled the strategies and issues faced by the project when they compiled municipal solid waste data. Meanwhile, Flores’ presentation “Techno-economic Analysis of Waste-to-Energy Technologies in the Philippines” focused on the techno-economic analysis of waste-to-energy in the Philippines.
The international conference was deemed a great opportunity to present the project’s findings and final outputs.

PROTEUS was a yearlong project funded by the National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP) of the Department of Science and Technology.

Three institutions will receive the NRCP Outstanding Institution Award in recognition of their dedicated support and/or significant contribution to the growth and development of basic sciences, humanities, and the arts in the Philippines. This award is conferred once to an institution.

The implementing agency of Project PROTEUS, the UP Diliman Department of Chemical Engineering is one of the award recipients

𝐍𝐑𝐂𝐏 𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐃𝐄𝐄𝐒 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐀𝐋

Look: Three institutions will receive the NRCP Outstanding Institution Award in recoginition of their dedicated support and/or significant contribution to the growth and development of basic sciences, humanities, and the arts in the Philippines. This award is conferred once to an institution.

2023 NRCP Outstanding Institution Awardees:

𝑼𝑺𝑻 𝑹𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒉 𝑪𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑺𝒐𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝑺𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑬𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 (Cluster I)
𝑼𝑷 𝑫𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝑫𝒆𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝑪𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝑬𝒏𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 (Cluster II)
𝑼𝑷𝑳𝑩 𝑰𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒕𝒖𝒕𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝑩𝒊𝒐𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝑺𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒔 (Cluster IV)

We will know about their significant support in the development of sciences, humanities, and the arts in our country this Tuesday, March 12, 2024.

NRCP has thirteen scientific divisions under four clusters, namely:
CLUSTER 1: Division I - Governmental, Educational, and International Policies; Division VIII - Social Sciences; and Division XI - Humanities
CLUSTER 2: Division II, Mathematical Sciences; Division VII - Engineering and Industrial Research; Division IX - Physics; and Division XII - Earth and Space Sciences.
CLUSTER 3: Division III - Medical Sciences; Division IV - Pharmaceutical Sciences; Division X - Chemical Sciences
CLUSTER 4: Division V - Biological Sciences; Division VI - Agriculture and Forestry; Division XIII - Veterinary Medicine

See you!

𝗗𝗢𝗦𝗧 𝗩𝗶𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝘅𝗶𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
We would like to invite everyone to attend the 𝗩𝗶𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝘅𝗶𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 of DOST Long-term Balik Scientist 𝗗𝗿. 𝗗𝗝 𝗗𝗼𝗻𝗻 𝗖. 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘇𝗼, titled "𝗠𝗮𝗯𝘂-𝗛𝘆𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗲𝗻! 𝗔 #𝗖𝗵𝗘𝘅𝗶𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻" on 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟲, 𝟵:𝟬𝟬 – 𝟭𝟭:𝟯𝟬 𝗔𝗠 (Philippine Standard Time) via 𝗭𝗼𝗼𝗺.

Dr. Matienzo will present the research goals and strategies of his Balik Scientist Program engagement, with a focus on battery and hydrogen technology. This event will also highlight the engagement's valuable contributions and innovations to the host universities – the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD) and Technological Institute of the Philippines (TIP). Furthermore, current research's expected positive impact on national development and economic progress will be examined. Relevant published works on how the aforementioned technologies could play an essential role in the energy transition and in securing a sustainable future will be presented.

Dr. Matenzo served as a Project Staff of Project PROTEUS.

Register here to join the virtual event: tinyurl.com/BSPExitReportPresentation or scan the QR code below.

𝗗𝗢𝗦𝗧-𝗕𝗦𝗣 𝗩𝗶𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝘅𝗶𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

We would like to invite everyone to attend the 𝗩𝗶𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝘅𝗶𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 of DOST Long-term Balik Scientist 𝗗𝗿. 𝗗𝗝 𝗗𝗼𝗻𝗻 𝗖. 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘇𝗼, titled "𝗠𝗮𝗯𝘂-𝗛𝘆𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗲𝗻! 𝗔 #𝗖𝗵𝗘𝘅𝗶𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻" on 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟲, 𝟵:𝟬𝟬 – 𝟭𝟭:𝟯𝟬 𝗔𝗠 (Philippine Standard Time) via 𝗭𝗼𝗼𝗺.

Dr. Matienzo will present the research goals and strategies of his BSP engagement, with a focus on battery and hydrogen technology. This event will also highlight the engagement's valuable contributions and innovations to the host universities – the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD) and Technological Institute of the Philippines (TIP). Furthermore, current research's expected positive impact on national development and economic progress will be examined. Relevant published works on how the aforementioned technologies could play an essential role in the energy transition and in securing a sustainable future will be presented.

Register here to join the virtual event: tinyurl.com/BSPExitReportPresentation or scan the QR code below.

To celebrate the women leading the charge for sustainability across the globe 🌏 the 2024 International Day of Women and Girls in Science is kicking off with the theme “Women and Girls in Science Leadership, a New Era for Sustainability” 🍃 This year’s celebration emphasizes the the important role women’s leadership 👩‍🔬 plays in pursuing and achieving the three pillars of Sustainable Development: economic prosperity, social justice, and environmental integrity.

You can also check out previous takeovers to see how are guiding our society towards a more sustainable future, both within the country and abroad 💚 Read about their stories and more on our website ➡️ pinoyscientists.com

💡 Krystel Mae Peñaflor 🌳 ( )
💡 Erica Asinas ✍️ ( )
💡 Ever Tamayo 🌬️ ( )
💡 Andrea Monica Ortiz 🌾 ( )
💡 Deborah Tangunan 🌊 (.tangunan )
💡 Meg Daupan 🦠 ( )
💡 Ney Cortez 👩‍🏫 ( )

🎨 by Martine Joy Irog
🖋️ by Marga San Juan ( ) and Caitlin Co

🔋 𝗦𝗔𝗩𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘!🔋
We are delighted to announce that the 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 (𝗔𝗕𝗖 𝗣𝗛) will host a 𝗕𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 from 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬-𝟮𝟰, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰, at UP Diliman.
Mark your calendars for a 𝘁𝘄𝗼-𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 on 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬-𝟮𝟭, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰, featuring presentations on various battery-related topics. Selected participants will undergo 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀-𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 from 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟮-𝟮𝟰, where they will learn about material synthesis, characterization, coin cell assembly, and the electrochemical performance evaluation of batteries.
Stay tuned as registration for the lectures will open soon. Follow our page for updates and more event details.
Battery Summer School 2024 is proudly organized by the Advanced Batteries Center Philippines in partnership with The Electrochemical Society - University of the Philippines Student Chapter 🔋
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The 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 (𝗔𝗕𝗖) 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 is a DOST-NICER Program between the Technopreneurship and Collaborative Applied Research (TechnoCoRe) of the Technological Institute of the Philippines (TIP) and the Laboratory of Electrochemical Engineering (LEE) of the UP Diliman (UPD).







🔋

🔋 𝗦𝗔𝗩𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘!🔋

We are delighted to announce that the 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 (𝗔𝗕𝗖 𝗣𝗛) will host a 𝗕𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 from 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬-𝟮𝟰, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰, at UP Diliman.

Mark your calendars for a 𝘁𝘄𝗼-𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 on 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬-𝟮𝟭, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰, featuring presentations on various battery-related topics. Selected participants will undergo 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀-𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 from 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟮-𝟮𝟰, where they will learn about material synthesis, characterization, coin cell assembly, and the electrochemical performance evaluation of batteries.

Stay tuned as registration for the lectures will open soon. Follow our page for updates and more event details.

Battery Summer School 2024 is proudly organized by the Advanced Batteries Center Philippines in partnership with The Electrochemical Society - University of the Philippines Student Chapter 🔋

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The 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 (𝗔𝗕𝗖) 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 is a DOST-NICER Program between the Technopreneurship and Collaborative Applied Research (TechnoCoRe) of the Technological Institute of the Philippines (TIP) and the Laboratory of Electrochemical Engineering (LEE) of the UP Diliman (UPD).







🔋

JOINT SYMPOSIUM ANNOUNCEMENT

The 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 (𝗨𝗣) and 𝗢𝘀𝗮𝗸𝗮 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 (𝗢𝘀𝗮𝗸𝗮 𝗨) will be hosting a 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝘆𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘂𝗺 on 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟴 – 𝟵, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 at UP Diliman (exact venue to be announced).

A 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 will be held on 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟴 (𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆), where the visiting Professors from Osaka U will share their research and laboratory activities. Student participants will also have the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions and consult directly with the Professors.

The 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝘆𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘂𝗺 shall be conducted on 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟵 (𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆), which will feature talks from invited speakers from UP and Osaka U. Our distinguished invited speakers cover a diverse range of expertise, including density functional theory, applied molecular and cellular biology, batteries and fuel cells, electrochemistry and catalysis, terahertz photonics, and many more!

Registration for the Student Recruitment Session and Joint Symposium 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟭𝟱, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 (𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆). This event is open to all interested undergraduate and graduate/post-graduate students of the UP System (for selection from the organizers). Follow our page, and stay tuned for more event details.

Save the date and see you there!

The 𝗨𝗣 𝘅 𝗢𝘀𝗮𝗸𝗮 𝗨 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝘆𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘂𝗺 is proudly organized by the Laboratory of Electrochemical Engineering - UPD, through the CHED-PCARI funded Project CIPHER, in partnership with The Electrochemical Society - University of the Philippines Student Chapter (ECS-UP).

𝗦𝗔𝗩𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘!

The 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 (𝗨𝗣) and 𝗢𝘀𝗮𝗸𝗮 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 (𝗢𝘀𝗮𝗸𝗮 𝗨) will be hosting a 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝘆𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘂𝗺 on 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟴 – 𝟵, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 at UP Diliman (exact venue to be announced).

A 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 will be held on 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟴 (𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆), where the visiting Professors from Osaka U will share their research and laboratory activities. Student participants will also have the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions and consult directly with the Professors.

The 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝘆𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘂𝗺 shall be conducted on 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟵 (𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆), which will feature talks from invited speakers from UP and Osaka U. Our distinguished invited speakers cover a diverse range of expertise, including density functional theory, applied molecular and cellular biology, batteries and fuel cells, electrochemistry and catalysis, terahertz photonics, and many more!

Registration for the Student Recruitment Session and Joint Symposium 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟭𝟱, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 (𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆). This event is open to all interested undergraduate and graduate/post-graduate students of the UP System (for selection from the organizers). Follow our page, and stay tuned for more event details.

Save the date and see you there!

The 𝗨𝗣 𝘅 𝗢𝘀𝗮𝗸𝗮 𝗨 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝘆𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘂𝗺 is proudly organized by the Laboratory of Electrochemical Engineering - UPD, through the CHED-PCARI funded Project CIPHER, in partnership with The Electrochemical Society - University of the Philippines Student Chapter (ECS-UP).

𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐔𝐒 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐗 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑

Members of the Project PROTEUS successfully participated in the recently concluded Advanced Energy Storage and Conversion Technologies International Workshop and Symposium (Energy X) held on November 27 to December 1, 2023.

The event was a collaborative platform for scientists and researchers focusing on materials and chemistry, cell and stack designs, energy computational models, and energy systems. Almost a hundred scientists and researchers from the Asia-Pacific region attended the scientific workshop and symposium.

PROTEUS’ Benjie Flores and Darwin Eugenio participated in the scientific symposium.

The five-day event was held in Tagaytay City, a popular tourist destination in the Philippines’ Cavite province due to its high altitude, which provides cooler temperatures and stunning scenery. The city offers several vantage points where visitors can take in the iconic view of Taal Volcano Island in the middle of Taal Lake in Batangas.

𝗟𝗘𝗘 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗣𝗖𝗖𝗵𝗘 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝟴𝟰𝘁𝗵 𝗣𝗜𝗖𝗵𝗘 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Members of the Laboratory of Electrochemical Engineering (LEE) successfully participated in the recently concluded APCChE 2023 Congress and 84th PIChE National Convention. Themed "𝘙𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘻𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘎𝘭𝘰𝘣𝘢𝘭 𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘚𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘋𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵," the bi-annual event served as a collaborative platform for chemical engineers, industrial chemists, and professionals from the Asian Pacific region.

Project PROTEUS was represented by Engr. Darwin Eugenio.

𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗝𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗨𝗦 𝗣𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗛𝗘𝗦 𝗣𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗬 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪 𝗣𝗔𝗣𝗘𝗥 𝗢𝗡 𝗪𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗘-𝗧𝗢-𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗚𝗬

Project PROTEUS successfully published its first policy review journal article titled “From Waste to Renewable Energy: A Policy Review on Waste-to-Energy in the Philippines” last August 28.

All authors are PROTEUS members, namely Samuel David S. Anonas (first author), Francis Darwin T. Eugenio, BenJeMar-Hope F. Flores, Paul Heherson M. Balite, Jan Goran T. Tomacruz, Lawrence A. Limjuco, and Joey D. Ocon (corresponding author).

This review article tediously explored past, present, and upcoming government policies regarding waste-to-energy (WtE). Examining the Philippine policy framework shows many policy gaps and concerns stemming from the ambiguity of defining waste as a renewable energy resource. As it stands, the current solid waste management framework heavily emphasizes waste reduction and proper collection and disposal, with little mention of WtE. In contrast, the renewable energy framework explicitly promotes WtE technologies. The authors also conducted live interviews with relevant government bodies to further understand the current policy framework. To address this conflict in policy goals, several policies are recommended that are grounded in clarifying the country’s stances on waste as a renewable energy resource and WtE’s role in the waste management hierarchy.

This review article is now available in the Energy Sustainability section of Sustainability (Impact Factor of 3.9 in 2022) under the Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI).

Project PROTEUS: Policy R&D on Optimization, Techno-Economics and Sustainability of Waste-to-Energy is funded by the National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP) of the Department of Science and Technology.

𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗮 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆?

A Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) is a government-run facility for recovering compostable and recyclable materials from collected municipal solid waste. Currently, the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) has funded the establishment of 1,840 MRFs having a daily waste recovery of around 3,200 metric tons. This achievement is based on the reports received from the EMB Regional Offices.

The implementing rules and regulations of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, Republic Act 9003, stipulate guidelines for properly operating a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF). Here are some of the key takeaways:
Barangays shall be responsible for the collection, segregation, recycling of biodegradable, recyclable, compostable, and reusable wastes. MRFs will be established in every barangay or cluster of barangays. These MRFs shall be designed to receive, sort, process, and store compostable and recyclable material efficiently and in an environmentally sound manner.

For proper sorting, separate waste receptacles for recyclable and compostable wastes must be available. These should be labeled appropriately. Most MRFs further separate recyclable wastes into four main categories: paper, metal, plastics, and glass. Residual wastes for final disposal should also be placed in a separate container.

The facility shall be established in a barangay-owned or leased land or any suitable open space to be determined by the barangay through its Sanggunian. For this purpose, the barangay or cluster of barangays shall allocate a particular parcel of land for the MRF. The determination of the site and the actual establishment of the facility shall likewise be subject.

Composting equipment includes dual-drum composter and bioreactors, of which local variants are distributed through the assistance of the Department of Science and Technology. MRFs with said equipment and facilities shall comply with the provisions of Section 2 of Rule XI of DENR Administrative Order 2011-34. Compost products intended for commercial or non-commercial distribution shall be free from hazardous/toxic constituents above permissible levels.

The DTI is mandated to undertake a study of existing markets for processing and purchasing recyclable materials, and the potential steps necessary to expand these markets applicable to composting and composts.