Rescue teams from multiple government agencies are engaged in a relentless search for workers reported missing after being buried by a massive trash slide at the Binaliw landfill in Cebu City. The incident, caused by a collapse of the structure at Prime Waste Solution, has left families in agonizing wait at the site, hoping for news about their loved ones.
Rising Casualties and Ongoing Operations
The tragic event has turned more grim, with the death toll now rising to three, according to Cebu City Councilor Dave Tumulak on Friday, January 9, 2026. Based on the latest validation, at least 12 individuals were injured and are receiving treatment, while 35 remain missing and are the subject of the intensive search. Of the injured, seven were taken to VisayasMed Hospital and five to North General Hospital.
Search and rescue operations continue unabated as authorities double down on efforts to locate the missing workers. Police Colonel George Ylanan, chief of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), personally inspected the area with personnel from the Talamban Police Station 8, whom he tasked with securing the location and controlling crowds to prevent interference with the critical operations.
Multi-Agency Mobilization and Relief Efforts
The Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 has deployed personnel to assist in the search, rescue, and retrieval operation at the Prime Waste Solution-owned site. PRO 7 Director Police Brigadier General Redrico Maranan has coordinated with the Bureau of Fire Protection, the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), Emergency Medical Services, and various volunteer groups to ensure a smooth and organized response.
"Our search and rescue teams are fully mobilized and working alongside our partner agencies. We will continue these operations relentlessly until all missing persons are located and accounted for. The safety of our responders and the recovery of every victim remain our utmost priorities," Maranan stated.
In a move to sustain the arduous efforts, the Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) announced it is ready to send additional forces. PDRRMO head Dennis Pastor said they will deploy three search and rescue teams to relieve the initial responders who have been working tirelessly on the ground.
Families Await as Community Rallies Support
"I talked with konsehal Dave Tumulak about that, that we will be relieving them because it's tiring, we cannot stand on that for three days...we will deploy them right now," Pastor explained. The provincial assistance follows the directive of Governor Pamela Baricuatro, with the PDRRMO coordinating with Councilor Tumulak and the CDRRMO for seamless operation management.
Meanwhile, the families of the missing workers maintain a vigil near the incident site, clinging to hope for any update on the condition of their relatives. The community watches on as this large-scale emergency response unfolds, highlighting the dangers faced by waste management workers and the critical need for stringent safety measures at such facilities.
