GOVPH

The City Government of Laoag, in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), formally launched the DOST-supported Pyrolysis Facility located at the sanitary landfill in Barangay Balatong, marking a major step forward in the city’s efforts to reduce landfill waste, manage rising garbage volume, and explore waste-to-energy innovations.

The launch was formalized during the celebration of the 2025 National Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (NSTW) in Laoag City.

DOST Undersecretary for Regional Operations Sancho A. Mabborang, led the unveiling, emphasized the importance of the facility in addressing long-standing waste issues.

“The one who invented this is a Filipino inventor so we’re happy that, as I said, this has been established, and we do hope this facility can help the city of Laoag to manage their waste problem and eventually eliminate ‘yung kanilang problema sa waste,” Mabborang emphasized.

He added that the Laoag unit is now a benchmark for other local governments.

On the other hand, Mabborang also stressed the long-term goal of maximizing energy recovery. He explained that the project was not yet complete and that, eventually, they aim to convert energy into something useful—whether for power, engines, or gas.

In addition, Laoag City’s sanitary landfill has been filling up far faster than projected. Designed to last ten years, it began reaching its capacity in only three years due to rapid population growth and increasing waste generation. Mylene Pascual of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) also reported that the Laoag City Sanitary Landfill currently receives 40 truckloads of waste daily, each with a capacity of 8 cubic meters, equivalent to 320 cubic meters or approximately 113 tons of waste per day. Of these, 10 trucks are operated by the City Government of Laoag, while 30 are from private haulers.

According to previous data submitted to DOST, Laoag City’s daily waste generation was only 14–20 tons. However, the current volume has significantly increased to 80–113 tons per day, reflecting rapid urban development and a growing population.

“Malaking benefit po. Ngayon po pina-close po namin yan (dumpsite), but still nag a-accumulate ng waste, lumalaki pa rin po ang volume, kaya ang projected po namin is 10 years sana, pero three years palang, napupuno na,” Pascual explained.

With the pyrolysis facility in place, the city expects to reduce the volume of residual waste entering the sanitary cell by 30 to 50 percent, buying more time before another costly expansion becomes necessary.

The Pyrolysis machine installed at the landfill has a capacity of 10 cubic meters or about 3–4 tons per hour. With an 8-hour operating cycle, the machine can process only 24–32 tons (or approximately 80 cubic meters) of waste per day. This means that the current facility can process only about one-third of the city’s daily waste generation. Hence, it was observed that the City Government of Laoag may consider procuring an additional Pyrolysis unit to fully process or eliminate the total volume of waste collected daily.

“Di na po muna kami magdadagdag ng sanitary cell. Ito na po munang Pyrolysis Facility yung magfa-facilitate para ma-lessen po yung expansion namin ulit ng sanitary landfill,” Pascual added.

Waste-to-Energy process: How the system works

The Laoag Pyrolysis Facility converts residual waste into usable byproducts through a structured waste-to-energy process. Incoming plastics and other residuals are delivered by dump trucks and pass through a sorting conveyor where recoverable materials are separated, while burnable items are shredded. The shredded waste is fed into a pyrolysis capable of processing 9–10 cubic feet per hour, equipped with six burners powered by electricity and diesel, with an average daily fuel use of about 15 liters. After pre-heating the unit to 500–700°C, the burners are shut off once the target temperature is reached, allowing airflow, maintained by three blower fans, to sustain combustion for 15–30 minutes depending on the material. The resulting ash is collected through a screw motor and an access door and is currently being stored and evaluated in collaboration with DOST for potential reuse innovations.

The facility began operation in July and continues to receive support from DOST and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. DOST will soon provide solar panels to fully power the facility. The project originated from a DOST-led road mapping seminar for Laoag City’s environmental needs, resulting in today’s operational pyrolysis unit. Three engineering staff and several eco-aides (former scavengers) handle daily operations hence the city plans to hire 20 permanent workers next year.

The facility uses multiple stages to ensure cleaner emissions. It employs a multi-stage system to ensure cleaner emissions throughout its waste-to-energy process. Syngas generated during burning first enters a chamber and then a cyclone, where solid particles are separated and charcoal is collected at the base.

The gas passes next through an initial filtration stage containing limestone before being drawn by a 1,700-cubic-meter-capacity exhaust fan into a series of wet scrubber tanks. Two of these tanks use mechanical stirrers, while three employ water shower systems to further remove remaining deposits. A final charcoal filter completes the cleaning process before the treated gas is released through the chimney. Only residual waste reaches the facility, in line with Laoag’s ‘No Segregation, No Collection’ policy, with eco-aides conducting the final sorting.

In an interview, DOST Region 1 Director Teresita Tabaog highlighted the shared commitment behind the project.

“Nagbenta lang tayo ng technology, and I believed, nandoon yung trust nila sa ating mga inventors… This is worth Php 45 million, except the building, but ours [our shared contribution] is only [at] Php 3.8 million from our DOST-GIA funding,” she explained.

With this, she also thanked the city government of Laoag for its strong support.

Further, Mabborang added that other cities, including Malolos, Bulacan, in Central Luzon, continue to explore larger systems.

“According to our international partners, p’wede daw ito as carbon credits. Pag-aaralan natin kung anong mas beneficial sa inyo… Baka instead of plastic credits, baka mas beneficial ‘yung carbon credits,” Mabborang mentioned emphasizing future financial benefits.

In conclusion, Mabborang expressed his optimism about the facility’s national relevance, adding that a Filipino inventor also invented this.

Pascual on the other hand, expressed their gratitude towards DOST. “As always po, nagpapasalamat po kami sa DOST, kay RD [Tabaog] po… Ramdam talaga namin ang DOST dito sa Laoag City dahil kay director at sa kanyang staff,” she said.

With the launched of the pyrolysis facility, Laoag City is now a model on how local innovation, national support, and community cooperation can reshape waste management for a cleaner and more sustainable future.

This initiative underscores DOST’s strong commitment to driving a circular economy and fostering sustainable development.

The Pyrolysis facility featured during the 2025 NSTW is one of the many initiatives of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) aimed at providing science-based, innovative, and inclusive solutions across four strategic pillars: human well-being, wealth creation, wealth protection, and sustainability. These pillars embody the mantra OneDOST4U: Solutions and Opportunities for All. For more information, visit www.dost.gov.ph. (By Abigael S. Omana, DOST-STII and with added information from Edison Acosta, Supervising Science Research Specialist, DOST Regional Office 1)