A catastrophic garbage landslide has plunged Metro Cebu into a dual crisis of waste management and public health. The disaster occurred on Thursday, January 8, at the privately operated Binaliw sanitary landfill in Cebu City, burying workers and halting a critical waste disposal system for the entire metropolitan area.
Details of the Landfill Disaster
The collapse happened at the facility run by Prime Integrated Waste Solutions. At the time of the incident, approximately 50 landfill personnel were on-site, sorting biodegradable from recyclable waste. Cebu City Councilor Joel Garganera estimated the collapsing garbage mound reached a height equivalent to 20 storeys.
Rescue operations continue in extremely hazardous conditions. As of the latest reports, the confirmed death toll stands at four. Rescuers have successfully saved 12 individuals, but 34 people remain missing and are being desperately searched for within the unstable debris.
Metro-Wide Waste Disposal Halts
In response to the landslide, authorities have immediately stopped accepting garbage at the Binaliw Landfill. This decision has a severe knock-on effect, as the facility is the primary dump for major cities including Cebu, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, and Talisay.
The scale of the problem is immense. The Binaliw Landfill processes about 1,000 tons of waste daily. Cebu City alone generates between 500 to 600 tons per day, with volumes expected to surge significantly during the upcoming Pista Senyor and Sinulog festivals.
The halt has created an immediate logistical nightmare. Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival is scrambling for solutions to prevent garbage from piling up on streets. Meanwhile, Mandaue City Mayor Jonkie Ouano has temporarily suspended the city's garbage collection while alternative arrangements are sought.
A Call for Public Cooperation and Systemic Change
This crisis underscores the urgent need for public cooperation. A common practice of leaving unsecured trash bags on curbsides, assuming collection trucks will arrive promptly, exacerbates the problem. Scavenging animals scatter the waste, leading to foul odors and swarms of flies.
The situation highlights a need for improved systemic discipline, akin to practices in modern cities like Japan and South Korea. There, residents do not put out trash until the designated collection time, using sealed black plastic bags to contain smell and prevent pests.
The Binaliw tragedy is more than an industrial accident; it is a stark warning for Metro Cebu's waste management infrastructure. The search for survivors continues, but the search for a sustainable, resilient solution to the region's garbage problem has now become an undeniable priority.
