The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) 7 issued a cease and desist order (CDO) on June 7, 2026, against Cebu City for dumping waste at the South Road Properties (SRP). The order mandates the city to clear accumulated garbage within 60 to 90 days, as the area lacks permits for use as a landfill, dumping site, or waste transfer station.
Violations of Ecological Waste Management Act
EMB 7 Clearance and Permitting Division Chief Rizalina Saberon stated that the Cebu City Government violated Republic Act (RA) 9003, the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act. The city had requested to use Pond A of the SRP as a temporary garbage transfer station on January 15, 2026, but the DENR denied the request due to high environmental risks. Despite this, the city continued to accumulate waste there.
The SRP, a prime commercial and residential area, now suffers from the stench of garbage, affecting locators such as SM Seaside City, Nustar, Il Corso, and residential condominiums. The Inayawan Sanitary Landfill, covering 15.4 hectares, was permanently closed on May 29, 2018.
History of Debt and Development
Cebu City borrowed 12.315 billion yen (approximately P4.65 billion) from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) through the Land Bank of the Philippines in 1995 for the SRP development. The loan was fully paid in 2022, with total payments reaching P6.6 billion. Critics question why such a valuable property is now being used as a dump site.
Waste Crisis After Binaliw Landfill Collapse
The situation escalated following the closure of the Binaliw landfill owned by Prime Waste Solutions Inc. (PWS) Cebu in Barangay Binaliw. On January 8, 2026, a garbage landslide at the landfill killed 36 people, forcing its shutdown. Consequently, the city's waste is now being transported to a landfill in Aluguinsan town, over 60 kilometers away.
According to Saberon, the city must implement waste reduction programs, such as the 'kuwarta sa basura' (cash from trash) initiative, ensuring that benefits are widely distributed. The CDO emphasizes the need for proper waste management to prevent further environmental and health risks.
