A deadly collapse at the Binaliw landfill in Cebu has sparked fierce criticism and a high-level investigation, with a city official placing direct blame on the regional office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
Councilor Points Finger at Regulatory Failure
Cebu City Councilor Joel Garganera has publicly slammed DENR Region 7 over the tragic incident at the landfill operated by Prime Integrated Waste Solutions Inc. (Piwsi). The collapse on January 8, 2026, killed several people and left more than two dozen workers missing.
Garganera contends the disaster signals a fundamental failure by the DENR's Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) in Region 7. He argued that while local governments manage waste collection, regulatory authority inside the landfill facility itself rests with the DENR. "Once it is inside the landfill, we no longer have the power to stop operations," Garganera stated, accusing the agency of "not doing their job" on safety compliance and essential geotechnical assessments.
Warnings Ignored and Mounting Hazards
Concerns about the Binaliw site are not new. Garganera revealed that issues date back to 2017, when the facility was initially applied for as a materials recovery facility but later operated as a full-scale landfill.
The Center for Trade Union and Human Rights said the collapse "did not come as a surprise." The group cited a garbage mound nearing 20 stories high and recent environmental stressors like earthquakes and typhoons as clear hazards that were neglected. They allege negligence by both the private operator and multiple government agencies.
Critical questions remain unanswered, including why the DENR 7 issued a cease and desist order nearly 100 hours after the collapse, and the status of the allegedly missing geotechnical reports needed to assess the site's stability.
Metro Cebu Faces Waste Crisis and Calls for Change
The immediate aftermath extends beyond the tragic loss of life, creating a severe waste disposal emergency for Metro Cebu. The landfill received roughly 1,000 tons of garbage daily from Cebu, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu cities, with Cebu City alone contributing about 600 tons.
With the site closed except for rescue operations, the metro faces a logistical nightmare. The Cebu City Council has declared a state of calamity to address the crisis.
Garganera used the tragedy to demand accountability and push for sustainable solutions, starkly stating that "The blood is in their hands" and asserting that landfills are not the answer.
Probe and Long-Term Solutions Ordered
Environment Secretary Raphael Lotilla has ordered a high-level probe and directed his department to pursue long-term fixes. Immediate efforts are focused on rescuing the missing workers.
Lotilla mandated technical teams to conduct a rapid 72-hour appraisal of the collapsed landfill to determine damage and risks. The DENR Central Office is also coordinating with other agencies to find alternative waste disposal sites.
Furthermore, the operator, Piwsi, has been directed to submit a comprehensive rehabilitation and mitigation plan within 90 days, addressing critical issues like mound stability and leachate control to prevent any repeat of the catastrophe.
