THE CITY council passed an ordinance on Wednesday, June 10, authorizing the city government to apply for and participate in the Department of Energy’s (DOE) special auction round for Waste-to-Energy (WTE).
The ordinance proposed by Councilor Louie John Bonguyan authorizes the local government to participate in the Green Energy Auction Program (GEAP).
“Kita karon ang gihimo sa city, ni-try ta, ni-apil ta sa ilang auction. This time, this is just a first step, na ni-apil ta sa Green Energy Auction,” he said.
The City Council’s committee on energy chairperson confirmed that the city has fast-tracked the submission process ahead of the June 16 deadline.
Bonguyan said one of the requirements is the ordinance from the City Council and other application forms.
The Department of Energy (DOE) began the registration of qualified suppliers on May 25, 2026 for the Special Auction Round for WTE under the GEAP, to open activities for the 230-megawatt auction dedicated to thermal combustion WTE technology.
The Special Auction Round for WTE was launched on December 30, 2025, through the issuance of the Notice of Auction and Terms of Reference, followed by Supplemental Terms of Reference published on April 28, 2026.
The auction covers a total capacity of 230 MW, with delivery scheduled between 01 September 2028 and 31 March 2029.
Davao City is aiming to secure around 10 to 11 MW from the pool, which matches the required output capacity of its proposed facility.
“Hopefully, as chairman sa committee, maka-award ta kay ang atong kailangan is 10-11 MW, and the auction is 230 MW,” he said.
Bonguyan said Davao City stands out as the lone local government unit participating in this specific sector of the auction, running alongside competing entities from the private sector.
He said the proposal was formalized in February and submitted to the city legal office, and they found that the auction is highly beneficial for the city’s long-term environmental and financial interests.
With the ordinance, the city government and its designated representatives are authorized to apply for and participate in the auction, and if successful, execute the ensuing supply contract under the GEAP.
The councilor hopes that winning the bid will revitalize support from international development partners, specifically the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
While JICA had previously committed a grant for the facility, local progress has faced roadblocks due to funding gaps and administrative hurdles.
Bonguyan clarified that the proposed WTE project will not bypass regulatory scrutiny as the facility remains strictly subject to national frameworks, including the Clean Air Act, national emission standards, and solid waste management policies.
