Cebu City faces a dual crisis of tragedy and sanitation after a devastating landslide at its Binaliw landfill, which has prompted a controversial proposal to temporarily use the prime South Road Properties (SRP) as a garbage transfer station.
Landslide Tragedy Halts City Waste Operations
The immediate emergency began on Thursday, January 8, 2026, when a garbage landslide struck the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) at the Binaliw landfill. The incident forced a complete stoppage of landfill operations, leaving garbage trucks unable to discharge their loads and severely disrupting the city's entire waste collection schedule overnight.
The human cost is severe. Based on an incident report as of 12:35 AM on Friday, January 9, 2026, at least 38 landfill workers were initially reported missing. At the time of reporting, the grim tally showed 12 workers rescued, one confirmed dead, and many still unaccounted for. Of those saved, seven are being treated at VisayasMed Hospital and five at North General Hospital. Search and rescue efforts continue as the city grapples with this profound tragedy.
A Temporary Fix: SRP as a Garbage Transfer Point
With the Binaliw landfill closed, Councilor Joel Garganera has suggested a temporary solution: using a portion of the South Road Properties (SRP) as a transfer station for the city's mounting garbage. This proposal aims to unclog the stalled waste collection system. Garganera has urgently appealed to residents to temporarily hold their trash at home as collection services are paralyzed.
However, the councilor clarified that this idea remains only a suggestion and has not yet been approved by the city administration. The move is seen as a desperate measure to prevent a public health disaster stemming from uncollected waste.
Business and Tourism Concerns Loom Over SRP Proposal
The proposal to bring garbage to the SRP is fraught with economic risks. The SRP is a flagship development zone for Cebu, hosting major business, entertainment, and tourism investments. Residents and business owners fear a repeat of past nuisances, where foul odors from the old Inayawan landfill reached establishments in areas like Il Corso, driving away customers.
There is significant concern that allowing garbage odors to permeate the SRP would not only hurt restaurant businesses but also damage Cebu's image as a clean and organized tourist and investment destination. The city's reputation, crucial for its economy, could be tarnished if the scenic views are overshadowed by the stench of accumulating waste.
The city now walks a tightrope. It must balance the urgent need to resume sanitation services and address the immediate garbage crisis with the long-term imperatives of justice for the affected workers, safe working conditions, and protecting its economic vitality. A swift yet wise decision from City Hall is demanded—one that solves the collection backlog without creating a new economic crisis for Cebu's premier developments.
