Following a devastating landslide at the Binaliw landfill, Cebu City is grappling with a severe garbage collection crisis, forcing local barangays to implement their own stopgap measures and initiatives.
Landslide Halts Operations, Triggers Emergency Measures
The crisis began on January 8, 2026, when a landslide forced the immediate suspension of operations at the Binaliw landfill. Search and rescue efforts are ongoing at the site. As an emergency measure, the city's waste disposal was temporarily redirected to the Asian Energy landfill in Barangay Polog, Consolacion.
This 30-day access agreement with Consolacion, however, is only a temporary fix for a city that generates a staggering 500 to 600 tons of waste daily, a volume that spikes even higher during events like the Sinulog Festival.
Barangay Leaders Detail Challenges and Local Solutions
Faced with mounting trash, barangay captains are scrambling for solutions. Guadalupe Barangay Captain Apol Enriquez revealed plans to potentially shift their waste to a landfill in Naga City, citing major issues with the Consolacion site.
"We don't mind paying, as long as we have an option. So collection can be earlier and the dumpsite is not far from our barangay," Enriquez stated. He highlighted problems like long lines of garbage trucks and dilapidated roads leading to the temporary dump. Collection frequency in Guadalupe has already been reduced from twice to just once a day.
In Tinago, Barangay Captain Dennis Arciaga reported that garbage has been piling up for five days since the Binaliw closure. While the Consolacion landfill is difficult to access due to poor road conditions, it remains the closest option. Arciaga emphasized the added fuel cost burden of seeking alternatives and noted that implementing effective waste segregation requires a comprehensive, long-term approach, not an overnight fix.
Push for Segregation Amidst Public Adjustment Period
A common thread among barangay leaders is the urgent call for residents to practice waste segregation at the source. Captain Susan Enriquez of Kinasang-an explained that since the landslide, they have been collecting trash along the highway in their community.
They plan to start a segregation drive after a meeting with Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival to finalize details. She acknowledged the significant challenge of changing public habits. "It will take time for people to adjust and start segregating," Enriquez said, noting that residents are accustomed to disposing of mixed, unsorted waste.
Before the crisis, Kinasang-an used two garbage trucks and a loader for daily collection. Now, trash is accumulating in the barangay. The situation underscores the critical need for systemic change and public cooperation to manage Cebu City's persistent waste management challenges beyond temporary landfill fixes.
