Several barangays in Cebu City are taking independent action to manage their garbage, creating local solutions in the face of a mounting city-wide waste disposal crisis. This urgent response follows the suspension of operations at the primary Binaliw landfill.
Landslide Halts Operations, Forces Temporary Shift
The crisis was triggered by a landslide at the Binaliw landfill on January 8, 2026, which forced an immediate halt to all dumping activities. Search and rescue efforts are still ongoing at the site. As an emergency measure, the city began diverting its daily waste output to the temporary Asian Energy landfill located in Barangay Polog, Consolacion.
However, this temporary fix is presenting significant logistical problems. Barangay officials report long queues of garbage trucks and must navigate a dilapidated access road, slowing down disposal efforts considerably.
Barangay Leaders Scramble for Solutions
Faced with these challenges, local leaders are exploring all available options. Guadalupe Barangay Captain Apol Enriquez revealed on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, that they are considering switching to a landfill in Naga, Cebu. "It doesn't matter if we will pay, at least we have options. To collect it earlier and the dumpsite is not far from our barangay," Enriquez stated.
She explained that garbage collection in her barangay has been reduced from twice to just once a day due to the current limitations. Enriquez strongly urged residents to begin the practice of waste segregation, emphasizing it as a critical step to alleviate the crisis.
Another official, Barangay Captain Dennis Arciaga, highlighted the intensified situation since Binaliw's closure, leading to piles of uncollected waste. While the Consolacion landfill road is poor, he noted it remains the most accessible for his area. His barangay is trying to minimize waste by sending it gradually, hoping for a return to normal collection routines. Arciaga also pointed out the financial hurdle of increased fuel costs if an alternative, more distant landfill is chosen.
The Long Road to Segregation and a Comprehensive Fix
The call for segregation is echoed across barangays, but leaders acknowledge the behavioral shift required. Kinasang-an Barangay Captain Susan Enriquez said they plan to start segregating after a meeting with Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival to set a date.
"It will take time for the people to adjust and start segregating," she admitted, noting that residents are accustomed to disposing of mixed waste. Before the crisis, her barangay collected waste daily with two trucks and a loader. Now, garbage is accumulating.
Captain Arciaga added a crucial perspective, stating that segregation cannot be achieved overnight and cannot work in isolation. He stressed that the garbage crisis demands a more comprehensive, systemic solution from city authorities.
The scale of the problem is vast. Cebu City generates between 500 and 600 tons of waste daily, a volume that often swells during major events like the Sinulog Festival. The ongoing crisis underscores the urgent need for sustainable waste management strategies beyond reliance on a single landfill.
