In a significant stride towards sustainable urban development, the Department of Science and Technology’s Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) has awarded Xavier Ateneo with a major research grant to a project aimed at optimizing waste management in Cagayan de Oro City (CDOC). The approved research project, “Optimizing Urban Sustainability: Empowering Cagayan de Oro City with Smart Decision Support for Waste-to-Energy,” will be led by Dr Maria Theresa Isla-Cabaraban, a professor from Xavier University’s Chemical Engineering Department. The project was officially recognized during DOST-PCIEERD’s “Grand Memorandum of Agreement Signing for 2024 Approved Projects” held at the Sheraton Manila Hotel, Pasay City where 69 other projects nationwide were recognized.
This project will help CDOC as it is facing a pressing issue on municipal solid waste which is expected to double by 2045, presenting environmental, economic, and logistical challenges to waste management. This underlines the latest legislative initiatives, such as Senate Bill 2267, which have highlighted waste-to-energy (WtE) technologies as a promising solution to address the growing waste concerns.
The research project proposes an innovative decision support system (DSS) designed to address these challenges by integrating municipal solid waste-to-energy (MSWtE) process modeling with machine learning (ML) and GIS-aided multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods. The DSS aims to provide data-driven insights crucial for WtE technology selection, implementation, and deployment. By evaluating MSWtE infrastructure placement, environmental impact, and energy efficiency, the DSS will empower stakeholders to make informed, sustainable choices.
In addition to technical aspects, the DSS will serve as an engagement platform for government units, policymakers, urban planners, energy providers, environmental experts, and communities, promoting collaborative decision-making in MSW management. By transforming waste into a resource, the project not only addresses environmental and economic imperatives but also contributes to CDOC’s vision of becoming a smart, sustainable city. The project will involve a multi-disciplinary team of faculty researchers from the Electrical, Electronics, Chemical and Civil Engineering of the XU College of Engineering, the XU College of Computer Studies and the Center of Artificial Intelligence of USTP.
This research aligns with the Philippines’ priority areas under “Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Convergence of Emerging Technologies/Sectors Towards Industry 4.0 & Smarter Cities and Communities” as well as the United Nations Sustainable Goals: SDG 11. The project represents a pioneering effort in empowering local government units with data-driven tools for sustainable urban planning.
The event was attended by EnP/Engr Jefferson R Vallente Jr, Research Coordinator of the College of Engineering, alongside Dr Cabaraban. Their participation underscores Xavier University’s commitment to driving impactful, community-focused research that supports the nation’s goals for a sustainable and resilient future.