Cebu City Councilor Demands Justice and Accountability for Binaliw Landfill Tragedy
In the wake of the devastating Binaliw landfill disaster, a Cebu City councilor has issued a powerful call for responsibility and justice for the victims. Councilor Pastor "Jun" Alcover Jr. emphasized that this catastrophic incident could have been prevented if not for alleged negligence, regulatory gaps, and weak enforcement of environmental laws.
Privilege Speech Calls for Special Investigation Committee
During his privilege speech on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, Councilor Alcover urged the city council to establish a Special Investigating Committee to conduct an independent inquiry into the "trash slide" that occurred at the Binaliw landfill on January 8. The tragic event resulted in the loss of 36 lives among landfill workers, with 14 others injured when the massive waste mound collapsed onto the housing staff and offices of Prime Integrated Waste Solutions Inc. (Piwsi), the facility's operator. The final missing victim was recovered on Sunday, January 18.
Objectives of the Proposed Investigation
The primary goal of this investigation is to thoroughly examine potential lapses and failures by both the landfill operators and relevant city government offices. This comprehensive review aims to:
- Identify specific regulatory violations and safety oversights
- Assess compliance with environmental standards and operational protocols
- Recommend appropriate administrative, civil, or criminal charges based on gathered evidence
Councilor Alcover reminded the council of Mayor Nestor Archival's post-2025 election statement promising to close the Binaliw landfill if environmental violations persisted. He further noted that the mayor has yet to issue any public statement holding the management accountable for this tragedy.
City Government Response and Opposition
Mayor Archival announced on Sunday that the city government has already coordinated with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), which issued a cease-and-desist order to halt all operations at the facility. The City Hall expressed support for whatever outcomes the investigation might produce.
Despite Councilor Alcover's efforts, his proposal faced significant opposition during deliberations. Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña highlighted the complexity of the landfill's system and operations, noting that the city government has limited expertise in reviewing safety measures and regulatory compliance for such facilities.
Councilor Sisinio Andales raised concerns about potential redundancy, pointing to Senator Imee Marcos's proposal to conduct a senate hearing regarding the same incident.
Councilor Alcover's Defense and Broader Implications
In defense of his proposal, Councilor Alcover argued that relevant government agencies could be included as members of the special committee to assist with the investigation. He emphasized that the facility is owned by billionaire Enrique Razon, stating that the public expects higher standards of safety and responsibility from such high-profile operations.
The Binaliw landfill tragedy has exposed critical weaknesses in waste management infrastructure and regulatory oversight, raising urgent questions about environmental protection and worker safety in Cebu's growing urban landscape.
