A deadly landslide at the main landfill in Cebu City has claimed lives and forced an urgent overhaul of the metropolis's waste disposal system. The incident has highlighted critical infrastructure vulnerabilities and sparked immediate action from local authorities.
Emergency Response and Temporary Measures
At least five individuals are confirmed dead, with dozens more reported missing, after a section of the Binaliw landfill collapsed onto the staff housing and office area of Prime Waste Inc. in Barangay Binaliw. The tragic event occurred on Thursday, January 8, 2026, as confirmed by Cebu City Councilor Dave Tumulak.
In swift response to the crisis, city officials have established a temporary dumpsite at the Asian Energy facility in Consolacion. Franklyn Ong, President of the Liga ng Barangay, assured residents that garbage collection services will continue without interruption. The Department of Public Services (DPS) has coordinated to begin waste disposal operations at this alternate location, which will remain active until a permanent solution is finalized.
Long-Standing Issues and a New Management Plan
The Binaliw landfill, which has served as Cebu City's primary disposal site for household and commercial waste for decades, processes hundreds of tons of garbage daily. Its partial collapse has exposed systemic pressures on the city's waste infrastructure.
Even before this disaster, plans were underway to strengthen the city's approach. Ong revealed that the city mayor had already prepared a Solid Waste Management Program valued at P2.1 million. This initiative, slated for funding from the P8.5 million Local Development Fund allocated to each barangay, is scheduled for discussion at the Development Council Meeting on January 21.
A key component of this strategy is the enforcement of waste segregation at source, a program being developed in collaboration with the Solid Waste Management Board and the barangays, with implementation targeted to begin in February.
Ongoing Challenges and Future Coordination
The Liga ng Barangay had formally raised several concerns in December 2025, including:
- Limited availability of garbage trucks.
- High fuel and operational costs linked to the Binaliw landfill.
- The need for stronger city government support for barangay-level waste segregation.
Ong stated that these issues remain under active discussion. The newly opened temporary site at Asian Energy is expected to handle waste from multiple barangays, alleviating immediate pressure on households and businesses.
"With the situation in Binaliw, the Liga ng Barangay has been in close coordination with the DPS and the Office of the Mayor to identify practical and timely solutions," Ong emphasized. The primary goals are to prevent garbage accumulation, ensure continuous collection, and strictly enforce existing waste management policies as the city works toward a sustainable, long-term disposal plan.
