The Cebu City Council has officially declared Friday, January 16, 2026, as a "Day of Mourning" to honor the victims of a devastating trash slide at the Barangay Binaliw landfill. This solemn declaration comes in the wake of a tragedy that has plunged the city into grief and triggered a dual crisis of waste management and public safety.
A City in Grief: The Tragic Incident and Response
The disaster struck on Thursday, January 8, 2026, when a massive avalanche of garbage buried parts of the Binaliw landfill. As of Tuesday, January 13, the confirmed death toll has risen to 13 individuals, with 24 people still reported missing. A further 18 people were injured and required hospital treatment due to the incident.
The resolution to establish the Day of Mourning was championed by Councilor Pastor "Jun" Alcover. In their declaration, the council expressed its deepest condolences and solidarity with the families of the victims and the residents of Barangay Binaliw. As part of the memorial, the council has requested the Mayor's Office to hold a mass on January 16 at the Barangay Binaliw Gymnasium. This service will serve as a moment of prayer and unity for families still awaiting news of their loved ones.
Perilous Search and a Declared State of Calamity
Search, rescue, and retrieval operations persist at the site despite extremely hazardous conditions. Rescuers face unstable and shifting garbage mounds, toxic fumes, pooled water, the potential presence of methane gas, and sharp metal from collapsed structures. Councilor Dave Tumulak stated that even though more than 72 hours have passed, teams remain in "rescue mode" after signs of life were detected using specialized equipment provided by a private mining group.
The tragedy has severely disrupted Cebu City's waste disposal system. Operations at the Binaliw landfill were halted by a cease-and-desist order from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Consequently, the City Council has declared a State of Calamity. This move unlocks disaster funds for emergency response, expedites procurement of necessities, enables swift executive action, and aids the urgent search for an alternative dump site to avert a public health crisis.
Moving Forward: A Call for Patience and Vigilance
City officials are calling on all Cebuanos to remain vigilant and patient as authorities exhaust all efforts to continue the search for victims and manage the escalating garbage crisis. The declaration of a Day of Mourning marks a pivotal moment for the community to collectively grieve while confronting the serious environmental and logistical challenges that lie ahead.
