Mandaue City has bolstered its waste management capabilities with the addition of three brand-new dump trucks blessed on June 24, 2026, before deployment. However, City Councilor Joel Seno revealed that the city cannot establish its own public sanitary landfill due to severe land constraints.
Land area limits landfill prospects
During a benchmarking visit to General Santos City, Seno led a delegation that included a solidarity mission and the turnover of P1 million in financial assistance for earthquake recovery. The visit provided an opportunity to inspect General Santos City's solid waste management system, highlighting the challenges Mandaue faces with its 34.87-square-kilometer land area.
"General Santos City is a very blessed area because they have a territory that is so big," Seno said in Cebuano, noting its 492-square-kilometer area. "Because of that massive land area, they have more than enough space to comfortably choose where they can build and isolate top-tier, standard-compliant landfills."
Reliance on private sector
Mandaue lacks the vast open land required for a government-managed sanitary landfill, so it continues to rely on a private consortium for daily solid waste collection, processing, and disposal. Seno stated that a permanent solution remains "in the works."
The delegation inspected General Santos City's second landfill cell, a two-hectare engineered disposal site with a depth of 100 meters and protective liners to prevent groundwater contamination. Located far from residential and commercial areas, the facility is operated by the local government.
Impressive environmental management
Seno said the group spent about 30 minutes assessing the site's environmental conditions. "We stayed there for half an hour just to get a feel of the place and check if there was any foul odor lingering around," Seno said. "Amazingly, there was absolutely no smell. The entire site was beautifully managed, exceptionally clean, and fully compliant with environmental standards. You would barely realize it was a massive landfill because the management is so tight."
Disaster response lessons
Beyond waste management, the delegation observed General Santos City's disaster response systems. After the June 8 earthquake, the city restored 80 percent of its damaged power distribution system within 36 hours through its disaster risk reduction protocols. Seno said the delegation extended Mandaue's highest commendations to Mayor Lorelie Pacquiao for protecting residents during the emergency.
Adopting best practices
Despite geographical limitations preventing a public sanitary landfill, Seno said Mandaue can adopt engineering practices and operational standards from General Santos City. Local legislators intend to incorporate lessons on landfill engineering, odor management, and disaster response into Mandaue's waste management framework as the city continues to manage growth within its limited land area.
