MAIA brings Smokey Mountain demolitions and proposed WtE incinerator to Congress

MANILA, Philippines—Pressed to defend their homes against intimidation and illegal evictions for a 100 MW Waste-to-Energy (WTE) incinerator, the Manila Anti-Incinerator Alliance (MAIA), along with residents’ organizations from Smokey Mountain and support groups, brought their grievances to Congress yesterday, December 17, 2025.

Leaders of affected communities rallied behind Assistant Minority Leader and Kabataan Party-list Representative Renee Louise Co in filing for the House Resolution No. 592, along with other members of the Makabayan Bloc, Gabriela Women’s Party Representative Sarah Jane Elago, and ACT Teachers Party-list Representative Antonio  Tinio. The resolution urges the House of Representatives to investigate, in aid of legislation, the anti-democratic demolition of communities in Smokey Mountain and the proposed WtE facility, citing violations of environmental laws and the rights of urban poor residents.

MAIA said the 20-hectare land is a public land promised to bring a dignified life to the urban poor by virtue of Proclamation No. 39 (1992) and No. 465 (1994), placing it under the NHA’s administration and disposition. They said the WTE project is already violating national laws banning incineration and laws on the urban poor.

Rep. Renee Co said WtE destroys our environment, violates people’s rights, especially those of marginalized communities, and only benefits waste industrialists.

Congresswoman Marivic Co-Pilar, Chairperson of the House Committee on Housing and Urban Development, also called for a briefing on the WTE project that is causing evictions in Smokey Mountain. The discussion of urgent concerns of forced displacements and the risks of WtE incineration. She said no evictions should take place without a court order.

Affected communities said the barangay captain of Brgy. 128, Bobby Hernane in Smokey Mountain has been offering  P60,000  before a demolition in January 2026, or the deal ceases.

Rep. Co-Pilar said barangay captains have no authority to negotiate resettlement compensation.  The  Kabataan Party-list Representative Renee Louise Co and Gabriela Women’s Party Representative Sarah Jane Elago were also present and expressed support for the community’s calls.

The planned WtE project is backed by Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno and President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.  Initial project preparations for an incinerator in Manila were sealed under President Rodrigo Duterte, with support from a 2017 flooding project in Metro Manila funded by the World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. The flooding project is implemented by the Metro Manila Development Authority as a solid waste management intervention that was thought to prevent waste from clogging the pumping stations. The project was recently flagged by the Commission on Audit for inefficiencies.

The WtE project will be implemented by Phileco through its project company Manila Integrated Environment Corp, which majority majority-owned by  R-II Builders, the company entangled in a long court battle on ownership of the land with the government.  Despite the issues, new investors have come in, including Kanadevia Corporation and BDO Capital.

MAIA cited the absence of meaningful consultations, the absence of a court order,  intimidation by armed personnel of the WTE company, and reprisals are being employed. Moreover, the groups have taken their concerns to the Manila City government, the National Housing Authority, the  Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Presidential Commission on the Urban Poor; however, the government agencies have been dismissive.

MAIA warned that incineration projects repeatedly come with severe social and environmental costs. Communities already burdened by pollution and poverty are pushed further into crisis when demolitions, dispossession, and risky infrastructure projects move forward without genuine participation, due process, and humane alternatives.

MAIA calls on national and local authorities to immediately halt demolitions, uphold environmental and housing laws, and pursue solutions rooted in zero waste, public health, and people’s rights.

Brex Arevalo, Climate and Anti-Incineration Campaigner of GAIA Asia Pacific, said, “We are hopeful with the outcome of today’s meeting with the Committee on Housing and Urban Development, chaired by Congresswoman Co-Pilar, as well as the strong support by Partylists KABATAAN, Gabriela, and ACT Teachers. The message is clear: WTE incinerators do not belong in the backyard of the Smokey Mountain community, and in anyone’s backyard.”

Arevalo said funders of this project should pull out their investments, citing high environmental, social, and financial risks

Read MAIA’s statement and sign the petition to stop the planned WtE incinerator: https://c.org/YWjfHvdTCZ