Mandaue City Council Unanimously Approves Temporary Garbage Disposal in Consolacion
In a decisive move to address an urgent environmental crisis, the Mandaue City Council has unanimously approved a measure permitting the temporary disposal of the city's garbage in Barangay Garing, Consolacion. This action comes as a direct response to the closure of the Binaliw landfill, which was shut down following safety and environmental concerns triggered by a significant garbage landslide on January 8, 2026.
Emergency Response to Landfill Closure
Councilor Joel Seno emphasized that the decision was made to tackle the immediate and pressing situation caused by the trash slide at the Binaliw landfill. This incident led the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to issue a cease and desist order against the facility, forcing its closure. Seno stated, "This is basically to address the immediate concern. We all know that we are dealing with an emergency situation in the aftermath of the trash slide at the Binaliw Landfill."
Under the leadership of Mayor Thadeo Jovito "Jonkie" Ouano, the City Government swiftly initiated a search for alternative disposal sites after the landfill was ordered closed. Seno explained, "Because Binaliw was shut down due to the DENR's cease and desist order, the city had no choice but to look for other options on where to dispose of our garbage." After a thorough evaluation of possible alternatives, Barangay Garing in the Municipality of Consolacion was identified as a suitable temporary disposal site.
Special Session and Council Approval
During a special session held on January 21, 2026, the City Council granted Mayor Ouano the authority to sign a memorandum of agreement that would allow Mandaue City to dispose of its waste in the area. Seno noted, "We granted the mayor the authority to sign the memorandum of agreement so that we would be allowed to dispose of our garbage in Barangay Garing," highlighting that this was the main agenda discussed during the special session.
The Council's unanimous approval underscores a shared commitment to proper waste disposal as a collective responsibility of the City Government. Seno added, "We unanimously approved it because we believe in the cause. We have to take care of the proper disposal of our garbage."
Temporary Solution and Long-Term Plans
However, Seno clarified that this arrangement is only a temporary solution. The contract will cover a period of three months and is intended as a stopgap measure while the city works on identifying a long-term waste management plan. He warned, "This is only a stopgap. We cannot rely on a temporary solution alone. The contract is good for three months, and in the meantime, we are actively looking for a long-term solution."
Seno further cautioned that failure to act swiftly could result in serious environmental consequences for the city, stating, "If we do not address this immediately, the city might experience an environmental disaster."
Financial Details and Future Commitments
The total cost of the contract is estimated at around P62 million, which Seno clarified covers the entire duration of the agreement and not a monthly expense. He elaborated, "We are not looking at it on a monthly basis. The amount is for the whole contract, which is more or less P62 million."
The City Government has assured residents that it will continue to explore sustainable and permanent solutions to its waste disposal problem to prevent similar emergencies in the future. This proactive approach aims to mitigate risks and ensure environmental safety for the community.
