Philippines, August 25-27, 2026 – The 2nd Methane Reduction Committee (MRC) Study Tour on Methane Reduction Project Sites brought together 30 participants from the core members of the MRC to strengthen technical knowledge and foster collaboration on methane mitigation initiatives across the agriculture, waste, and energy sectors. Conducted from August 25 to 27, 2026, the study tour forms part of the capacity-building activities under the ASEAN-Korea Cooperation for Methane Mitigation (AKCMM) project.

The three-day activity provided participants with firsthand exposure to operational methane reduction projects, demonstrating practical solutions for converting agricultural and organic wastes into renewable energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and supporting circular economy practices. The study tour covered a range of technologies and approaches, from community-scale biogas systems and livestock waste management to innovative rice cultivation practices and rice straw utilization.

Promoting Circular Economy through Organic Waste Utilization

The first day of the study tour focused on circular economy and waste-to-energy initiatives in Metro Manila. Participants visited facilities operated by the Quezon City Local Government Unit, including a composting facility at New Kamuning Market that converts market waste into organic fertilizer, and the Barangay Phil-am Food Waste Biogas Facility, which transforms food waste into renewable energy through anaerobic digestion. The visits demonstrated how organic waste streams can be diverted from disposal and transformed into valuable products such as compost and biogas. Through these initiatives, local governments are helping reduce methane emissions from decomposing waste while promoting resource efficiency and circular economy practices at the community level.

Figure 1. Participants visit the New Kamuning Market composting facility, which converts market waste into organic fertilizer.

The delegation also visited the pilot methane recovery facility of Fibertech Secura RE Corporation in Taguig City. The project utilizes water hyacinth harvested from Laguna Lake as feedstock for biodigesters that produce biogas for electricity generation or cooking fuel. By converting this rapidly growing aquatic plant into renewable energy, the facility demonstrates an innovative approach to addressing both environmental management and climate mitigation challenges. The initiative highlights the potential of transforming underutilized biomass resources into clean energy.

Figure 2. Study tour at the Fibertech Secura RE Corporation’s water hyacinth-to-biogas facility in Taguig City.

Advancing Biogas Technologies for Agricultural Waste Management

On the second day, the MRC visited the First Quezon Biogas Corp. (FQBC) in Candelaria, Quezon. The facility converts chicken manure into electricity through anaerobic digestion. Beyond generating renewable energy, the project helps address waste management challenges in poultry-producing communities, where accumulated chicken manure can cause odors and attract flies. By processing manure in biodigesters, the facility reduces methane emissions, improves local sanitation conditions, and converts agricultural waste into a valuable source of clean energy.

Figure 3. Participants observe FQBC’s biogas facility that converts chicken manure into renewable energy.

The tour continued at the Community-Based Animal Technicians (CBAT) pig manure biogas digestion facility in San Juan, Batangas, supported by the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) under the National Animal Waste Resource Management Program (NAWRMP). Participants were introduced to a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) biodigester system designed to capture methane emissions from swine manure and convert them into usable biogas for household cooking. The visit highlighted how livestock waste can be transformed into renewable energy, providing both environmental and economic benefits for farming communities.

Figure 4. Participants visit the CBAT pig manure biogas facility in San Juan, Batangas, where methane from swine manure is captured and converted into biogas for cooking.

Innovations in Climate-Smart Rice Cultivation

The final day of the study tour focused on methane mitigation in rice production, the country’s largest sources of methane emissions. Participants visited pilot sites under the Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) for the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) project implemented by Kubota Corporation in Laguna. During the field visit, participants observed a greenhouse gas sampling demonstration using the manually operated closed chamber method and learned about the implementation of AWD, a water management practice that reduces methane emissions by periodically draining rice fields instead of maintaining the conventional practice of continuous flooding. The program concluded with technical presentations on project implementation, followed by experience-sharing sessions in which farmers discussed the benefits of AWD in improving water-use efficiency and supporting sustainable rice production.

Figure 5. Participants observe a greenhouse gas sampling demonstration and learn about the implementation of AWD at Kubota Corporation’s JCM pilot sites in Laguna.

The study tour concluded with a visit to the Rice Straw Bioenergy Hub of Straw Innovations in Pila, Laguna. Participants were introduced to innovative rice straw harvesting technologies, including the StrawTraktor, which enables the efficient collection of rice straw that would otherwise be burned or left to decompose in the field. The company showcased its circular economy approach to rice straw management, demonstrating how agricultural residues can be transformed into substrates for mushroom production, livestock feeds and beddings, vermicompost, biochar, and fuel for grain drying. By creating productive uses for rice straw, the initiative helps avoid open-field burning and supports sustainable farming practices for local communities.

Figure 6. Participants visit the Rice Straw Bioenergy Hub of Straw Innovations in Pila, Laguna, and learn about sustainable rice straw management.

Building Knowledge and Partnerships for Methane Action

The study tour underscored the Philippines’ commitment to strengthening methane mitigation efforts through innovation, capacity building, and collaboration. By visiting operational project sites and engaging directly with project developers, researchers, technology providers, and government practitioners, members of the MRC gained valuable insights into practical approaches for reducing methane emissions across sectors.

Reflecting on the value of the site visit, one participant shared, “The site visit provided valuable information on AWD, particularly on their methodology, challenges encountered during implementation, and farmers’ experience. The insights gained from the visit may serve as a useful reference in improving and strengthening the implementation of AWD in our project sites.”

Another participant highlighted the importance of seeing methane mitigation technologies in practice: “Seeing the process firsthand, from agricultural waste feedstock through anaerobic digestion, biogas production, and electricity generation, helped me better understand the physical basis behind the data and emissions calculations … in GHG inventory work. The discussion also highlighted how proper agricultural waste management can intersect with broader concerns such as local food production, food security, and affordability, which gave me a more concrete systems perspective on methane mitigation.”

The activity also strengthened collaboration among key stakeholders working to advance methane action and support the Philippines’ transition toward a low-emission and climate-resilient future.