President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday sought for the immediate passage of the “Waste-to-Energy Bill” to address the flooding problem in the country.

“We have to look at it in a more urgent sense because it really becomes such an important part of the flood control program,” President Marcos said during the 6th Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) full meeting at the Malacañan Palace.

The Waste-to-Energy Bill was approved on third reading by the House of Representatives. It’s still pending for the second reading at the Senate.

During the LEDAC meeting, President Marcos cited the need to revisit the proposed measure, noting the waste-to-energy measure is an important discussion in flood control “because the garbage problem is actually severe.”

President Marcos said the waste-to-energy projects have also reduced flooding by 40 percent. It has to be implemented at the local government level, he added.

“I think waste-to-energy now has taken on a new role. It is no longer just for garbage, or waste disposal or waste management. It is also now very much part of the flood control effort,” President Marcos said.

Senate President Chiz Escudero and Speaker Martin Romualdez led other officials during the 6th LEDAC meeting along with some Cabinet members. |PND