Cagayan de Oro City – July 25, 2025 — The City Government of Cagayan de Oro formally entered into a partnership with Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan for a pioneering waste-to-energy initiative aimed at boosting urban sustainability through smart technologies.
Mayor Rolando “Klarex” Uy and Xavier University President Fr. Mars P. Tan, S.J., signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the “Optimizing Urban Sustainability: Empowering Cagayan de Oro City with Smart Decision Support for Waste-to-Energy” or SWEEP CDOC Project, in a ceremony witnessed by key local and academic officials.
The project, spearheaded by XU’s College of Engineering – Department of Chemical Engineering and led by Dr. Maria Theresa Isla-Cabaraban, is funded through the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) under its Smart Cities Roadmap and Grants-in-Aid program.
The MOU signing was also attended by City Local Environment and Natural Resources Office (CLENRO) Department Manager Engr. Armen Cuenca, City Management Information Systems and Innovation Department (CMISID) Manager Zelfred Anthony T. Cocon, XU Vice President for Social Development Engr. Dexter S. Lo, College of Engineering Dean Engr. Christine May C. Salvaloza, and other stakeholders.
City Councilor Roger Abaday, a staunch environmental advocate and former chairperson of the Committee on Environment, showed full support for the project, along with former City Councilor Jay Roa-Pascual, who both played key roles in pushing the MOU through the City Council.
Smart and Sustainable Urban Solutions
The SWEEP CDOC project aims to integrate waste-to-energy (WtE) technologies into Cagayan de Oro’s urban development plans by using smart urban planning and decision support systems (DSS). It promotes the efficient use of local resources, enhances energy efficiency, and reduces environmental impact, while promoting interdisciplinary collaboration and technological innovation for sustainable development.
WtE systems convert various types of waste—such as municipal solid waste (MSW), agricultural residues, and industrial waste—into usable energy, a process aligned with global sustainable practices.
City’s Strong Support
Under the MOU, the city government will provide critical data on municipal solid waste and urban development to the XU research team. It will also assist in identifying suitable sites for the deployment and testing of the WtE Decision Support System and other related technologies.
In addition, the LGU commits to:
- Provide technical support and personnel from CLENRO and CMISID;
- Offer transport services for the project team and equipment to and from the city landfill site;
- Shoulder the utility costs (electricity, water, internet, etc.) for the demonstration WtE facility;
- Fund focus group discussions (FGDs), key informant interviews (KIIs), and consultations with stakeholders, urban planners, policymakers, and communities.
The SWEEP CDOC project is expected to run for two years, with the potential to become a replicable model for other urban centers seeking to transition toward smart and sustainable waste management systems.
“This partnership underscores our commitment to smart governance and ecological integrity,” said Mayor Uy. “With the academic expertise of Xavier University and the city’s solid waste management data, we are taking a crucial step toward a cleaner and more energy-efficient future for Cagayan de Oro.”