Bacolod City officials conducted a thorough inspection of the city's sanitary landfill this week, prompted by a deadly collapse at a similar facility in Cebu. The move aims to proactively address safety concerns and ensure strict compliance from the new waste management contractor.
Proactive Inspection After Cebu Tragedy
On Tuesday, January 13, 2026, Mayor Greg Gasataya led a team to the sanitary landfill in Barangay Felisa. The inspection was a direct response to a tragic incident in Cebu City on January 8, 2026, where a landfill collapse in Barangay Binaliw resulted in one worker's death and injuries to six others.
Mayor Gasataya emphasized that the visit was crucial to verify that the city's new garbage hauler, a joint venture known as I-Swims, is adhering to all safety protocols. "We want to ensure the compliance of the city's new garbage hauler," Gasataya stated, referring to the consortium composed of International Solid Waste Integrated Management Specialists Inc., D.C. Sandil Construction and Realty Development Inc., and San Igmedio Builders Incorporated.
Corrective Measures and New Construction
During the inspection, the mayor focused on key operational requirements. He pointed out that I-Swims must comply with proper soil covering and sloping of the waste to prevent landslides. The company reportedly provided additional trucks and lanes to improve traffic flow for dump trucks entering the facility.
I-Swims Operation Manager, Mario Sandil, explained that interventions are underway to correct issues left by the previous hauler. "We have an ongoing slope protection and soil covering of the garbage to avoid the landslide," Sandil said. He added that they are currently compacting at least six meters of garbage at Cell No. 4 using volcanic soil for better stability.
A significant development announced during the inspection is the upcoming construction of sanitary landfill Cell No. 5. With a budget of P65 million and covering two hectares adjacent to Cell No. 4, the new cell is expected to be completed within six months, starting construction this month.
Officials Seek Assurance and Await New Hub
Councilor Homer Bais, chair of the City Council's committee on environment and ecology, was present and relayed that I-Swims assured them a Cebu-type incident would not occur in Bacolod. "They are now conducting compacting and sloping of garbage to prevent the landslide," Bais confirmed.
The inspection team also included Councilor Jude Thaddeus Sayson, City Administrator Atty. Mark Steven Mayo, Atty. Allyn Luv Dignadice of the Bacolod Environment and Natural Resources Office, and Engr. Loben Ceballos of the City Engineer’s Office.
In a related development, the city is awaiting the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) to begin work on the Bacolod Integrated Recycling and Technological Hub (BIRTH), also located in Barangay Felisa. This P160-million facility will feature a Materials Recovery Facility, along with the necessary furniture, equipment, and electrical systems, representing a long-term solution for the city's waste management.
