CEBU. In a critical move to tackle the escalating garbage crisis in Cebu, Governor Pamela Baricuatro convened with Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Raphael Lotilla at the Provincial Capitol. Their meeting focused on devising both immediate and long-term strategies to manage the province's mounting waste disposal challenges, which have been exacerbated by recent tragic events.
Emergency Meeting Addresses Urgent Waste Solutions
Facing severely limited disposal options, the DENR is preparing to seek authority from the Supreme Court to temporarily utilize the closed Inayawan landfill as a transfer facility. This step is deemed necessary while more sustainable, long-term waste management solutions remain under development and unresolved across the region.
Lotilla Announces Plan for Temporary Landfill Use
Environment Secretary Raphael Lotilla revealed this plan during an emergency meeting held on Thursday, January 22, 2026. The gathering included representatives from the Cebu Provincial Government, as well as local government units of Cebu City, Talisay City, and Minglanilla. Lotilla emphasized the urgency, stating, "We will prepare a petition to the Supreme Court, at the very least, to allow a temporary lifting of the prohibition on the use of the Inayawan landfill as a transfer facility."
Background on the Inayawan Landfill Closure
The 15.4-hectare Inayawan landfill has been off-limits since a Writ of Kalikasan was granted by the Court of Appeals in 2016, a decision later affirmed by the Supreme Court in 2018. This legal writ, petitioned by then Cebu City Councilor Joel Garganera on September 3, 2016, is designed to protect the public's constitutional right to a healthy environment. Originally closed in January 2015 after being declared full, the landfill was briefly reopened in June 2016 under the administration of former mayor Michael Rama before its permanent shutdown.
Deadly Landslide Spurs Immediate Action
The DENR's proactive move follows a devastating landfill landslide in Barangay Binaliw, which tragically claimed the lives of 36 waste workers. In response to this incident, the agency issued a cease-and-desist order against Prime Integrated Waste Solution Inc., the operator of the Binaliw landfill, effectively suspending its operations. This landfill had been serving Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, and Mandaue City, highlighting the critical and widespread nature of the waste management crisis in the area.
Local Governments Reject Waste Dumping Proposals
During the emergency meeting, Talisay City Mayor Gerard Anthony "Samsam" Gullas Jr. and Minglanilla Mayor Rajiv Enad firmly rejected a proposal to allow the dumping of solid waste from Cebu City within their jurisdictions. Both mayors cited significant environmental concerns and potential health risks as primary reasons for their opposition. However, they did commit to facilitating the passage of garbage trucks through their areas if the waste is ultimately disposed of in other designated landfills.
Exploring Alternative Landfill Options
As part of the broader search for solutions, sanitary landfill facilities in Toledo City and the town of Aloguinsan are among the options being actively considered. Meanwhile, the Cebu City Government is currently managing the crisis by temporarily dumping approximately 600 tons of solid waste daily at a landfill facility in Barangay Polog, Consolacion. This temporary arrangement is set to expire on February 11, 2026, adding pressure to find a more permanent resolution swiftly.
The collaborative efforts between provincial and national agencies underscore the gravity of Cebu's garbage crisis and the need for coordinated action to ensure public health and environmental sustainability in the region.
