Cebu City Environment Office Takes Action Against Illegal Earth-Moving in Binaliw
The Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (Ccenro) has intervened to halt illegal earth-moving operations in Barangay Binaliw, following inspections that revealed a company widening and lowering a road without proper permits. This move raises significant concerns about potential landslides in the upland village, coming just weeks after a devastating trash slide in the same barangay claimed 36 lives on January 8, 2026.
Citizen Complaint Triggers Investigation
The investigation was initiated after a local resident filed a complaint regarding heavy machinery activity in the area. On February 12, an inspection team visited Spring Valley Country Homes in Sitio Sta. Ana to assess the situation. Inspectors observed heavy trucks using the modified access road, documenting fresh road cuts and signs of minor landslides in the hilly terrain. Notably, the road had been widened compared to its state during a previous check on October 13, 2025.
During the visit, the team met with the complainant, Marichi Patigayon, who explained that Powerplus Aggregate Systems Co. Ltd. had repeatedly lowered the road level through earth-moving activities. This created a steep drop near her property, heightening dangers and increasing landslide risks. Patigayon noted that the excavation work disregarded required buffer zones from property lines. She had previously requested the company to construct a protective retaining wall, but this was never completed. Additionally, she reported that the company failed to hold a public hearing and never presented permits to affected residents.
Violations of Safety Regulations
Ccenro stated that these earth-moving activities directly violate safety rules designed to protect communities. They concluded that the company breached Executive Order 13, known as Oplan Likay sa Landslide, a 2022 order that strictly suspends all quarrying and earth-moving operations across 30 upland barangays, including Binaliw. Investigators also found that the company lacked necessary permits, failing to present those required by City Ordinance 2115 for material extraction and City Ordinance 2623 for tree cutting.
Compounding the issue, the site is adjacent to another property owned by Powerplus Aggregate Systems Co. Ltd., which is already under an active cease-and-desist order.
Next Steps and Government Response
To safeguard the community from further damage, Ccenro recommended the immediate issuance of a cease and desist order against the company. This action aligns with a directive from Mayor Nestor Archival to closely monitor development projects in the city's upland villages. On February 25, Councilor David Tumulak endorsed the inspection report, and the City Council will review the findings during their regular session on March 3. A special technical meeting is also being planned to bring together the company, affected residents, and city officials to address the problem.
For the public, these strict enforcement measures and upcoming council reviews send a clear message: the local government is prioritizing disaster prevention and working to hold developers accountable before unpermitted excavations can trigger severe landslides and endanger families.
