Cebu City's search for a new dumping site has hit a major roadblock, literally. Garbage trucks from the city were stopped and prevented from entering the ASEAN landfill in Barangay Polog, Consolacion, over the weekend, creating a fresh waste disposal crisis.
Barangay Takes a Stand Against Cebu City Waste
The incident occurred on Saturday, January 10, 2026, and again the following day, Sunday, January 11. Officials from Barangay Polog, led by Councilor Allan Balaba, physically barred the trucks from depositing their loads. The barangay's opposition was not merely a physical blockade; it was quickly formalized through legislation.
In an "emergency session" on the night of January 11, the Barangay Polog council passed a resolution formally opposing the entry of Cebu City's garbage trucks into their local landfill. This move directly challenges Cebu City's emergency plan following the closure of its primary dump site.
A Crisis Born from Binaliw Landfill Closure
This confrontation stems from the recent shutdown of the Binaliw landfill, which has severely disrupted Cebu City's waste collection operations. With Binaliw unavailable, the city government had identified the ASEAN landfill in Consolacion as a critical alternative to prevent garbage from piling up on city streets.
The two-day standoff forced high-level intervention. On Monday morning, January 12, 2026, Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival engaged in a meeting with Consolacion Mayor Teresita Alegado. The purpose of the summit was to discuss potential solutions to the immediate problem and find a way forward for the city's mounting waste.
Social Media Alert and Seeking Resolution
The unfolding situation was first brought to public attention by former Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CCDRRMC) head Ramil Ayuman. Ayuman detailed the attempts and subsequent blocking of the garbage trucks in a social media post, highlighting the growing tension between the two local government units.
The resolution from Barangay Polog presents a significant legal and logistical hurdle for Cebu City. The outcome of the talks between Mayors Archival and Alegado will be crucial in determining whether a temporary arrangement can be reached or if the city must scramble to find another, more distant, and costly disposal site for its daily waste output.
