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Committed to industrialize the waste management system in the country, Prime Infra and its wholly owned subsidiary, Prime Integrated Waste Solutions (PWS), on Wednesday inaugurated its large-scale, automated materials recovery facility (MRF) in Porac, Pampanga.

Leading the event were Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Maria Antonia “Toni” Yulo-Loyzaga, Pampanga Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda, Porac Mayor Jaime “Jing” Capil, and Prime Infra President and CEO Guillaume Lucci and Waste Sector Lead Cara Peralta.

In her message, Secretary Loyzaga lauded the PWS’ utilization of state-of-the-art equipment for waste segregation and storage.

“It is truly inspiring to witness how Prime Infra companies as well as the government—national and local—have come together to build a healthier, safer, and cleaner environment for all of us,” she said.

“As you know, the Philippines generates about 61,000 metric tons of waste daily…with 33 percent ending up in landfills, while 35 percent is leaked into the open environment. I would like to say that the company’s utilization of this state-of-the-art equipment transforms the strategy for resource recovery and also links it to our fuel transition,” Loyzaga said.

“We in the DENR is here to applaud the investment of Prime Integrated Waste Solutions Inc. and the local government for taking this big step together. We look forward to seeing more such facilities in the future, and we’re here to support each and every LGU in their journey towards a climate-resilient and environmentally safe future,” she added.

Lucci said Prime Infra aims to industrialize the waste business in the Philippines at high scale through PWS.

“This expansion in Luzon, starting in Pampanga—and we want to thank again the host province and host municipalities for this—really demonstrates our commitment to industrialize this market which is the natural next step for waste management in the country,” Lucci said.

The Pampanga MRF is the first greenfield development of PWS, and the company’s second operational facility next to Cebu City.

PWS, a wholly owned subsidiary of Prime Infra, was established in response to the increasing demand for proper waste management and resource recovery solutions in industrialized and fast-growing cities in the Philippines. It’s business model is based on Prime Infra’s overall objective of converting recovered resources into sustainable fuels.

“Our current waste management process is really built around resource recovery. We plan to invest in a waste-to-fuel facility here that will convert the waste into fuel for ships, airplanes, trucks, and so on and so forth. This is an integral part of Prime Infra’s sustainability initiatives,” Lucci said.

Cara Peralta, Prime Infra Market Sector Lead for Waste, for her part said the Pampanga facility offers a “new age of waste disposal.”

PWS uses state-of-the-art equipment procured from Europe and Asia such as vibrating sieves, baler systems, magnetic separators, as well as air density separator to maximize resource recovery.

The Pampanga facility can accommodate up to 5,000 tons per day of municipal solid waste.
“We commit to recover and recycle up to 80-90% of total waste received. We look forward to serving you and becoming partners in this journey, and to meet Prime Infra’s original objective of turning waste into sustainable fuels. Together, we can provide the right waste solutions for the Philippines and beyond,” said Peralta.

Meanwhile, Governor Pineda emphasized how proud he is for Pampanga to have such a facility that will be of help in the provincial government’s solid waste management program.

“Nagpapasalamat po kami sa PWS management, in partnership sa provincial government. Bagay ito para sa solid waste management program namin. Ngayon po na first time po na may ganito, at least nakita ko po na state-of-the-art [equipment] po talaga. So hindi po kami ngayon nagwo-worry or natatakot na ipagmalaki ang project na ito kasi hindi ito kamukha ng ibang landfill o open site. The company and the DENR assured us na magiging state-of-the-art ito. So mga Kapampangan, wala po tayong dapat katakutan dahil when we introduced ito sa mga Pampanga mayors, pwede po naming maipagmalaki ito,” Pineda said.

Tarlac Governor Susan Yap echoed the sentiment of Pineda, saying she was pleased at seeing the MRF equipment onsite.

“Ang maganda ay ‘yung system. I thought that it was going to be a landfill system also, but apparently, not. So that’s why I said, natuwa ako,” Yap said.

Porac Mayor Capil expressed thanks for choosing the municipality of Porac as the location of PWS’ facility.

“We are honored to have you here in our town. Based on what I saw, this is our best solution to the growing waste problem in our country. To the Razon Group of Companies, we are looking forward to more collaborations in the near future, for a cleaner and greener community,” he said.

Prime Infra Directors Martin O’ Neil and Steve Paradies, Angeles City Mayor Carmelo Lazatin II, Sta. Rita Mayor Arthur Salalila, Sasmuan Mayor Catalina Cabrera-Bagasina, Guagua Mayor Anthony Joseph Torres, Barangay Planas Captain Alfer Nacu, National Solid Waste Management Commission Commissioner and Vice Chairman Crispian Lao, Bases Conversion and Development Authority Chairman MGen. Delfin Lorenzana (Ret.), Clark International Airport Corporation President and CEO Arrey Perez, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Chairman Eduardo Aliño also graced the facility inauguration.