Cebu City Mayor Issues Strict Sanitary Directive for Garbage Transport Operations
Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival has issued a firm directive to all barangays, requiring strict enforcement of sanitary measures in garbage transport. This action comes in response to alarming reports of leaking and improperly covered garbage trucks, which have been causing unsanitary conditions and significant public inconvenience across the city.
Landfill Access Disruptions Prompt Immediate Action
The mayor's order follows two critical incidents where garbage trucks from the Cebu City Government, including those operated by barangays, were blocked from entering the Asean landfill in Barangay Polog, Consolacion. These blockades occurred on Saturday and again the following day, highlighting escalating tensions over waste handling practices.
In a memorandum dated January 23, 2026, Mayor Archival emphasized that the directive is particularly urgent given the city's current waste management challenges. These include the recent closure of the Binaliw landfill and the temporary reliance on the Polog landfill in Consolacion, which has intensified scrutiny on transport protocols.
Specific Sanitary Requirements Outlined in Memorandum
The Office of the Mayor cited numerous complaints about garbage trucks originating from Cebu City that were leaking waste or lacked secure covers during transport. These issues have led to:
- Waste spillage on major roads and neighboring areas
- Persistent offensive odors affecting communities
- Significant sanitation problems creating public health risks
To combat these problems, Mayor Archival has directed all barangay chairmen to ensure strict compliance with the following sanitary standards:
- Garbage trucks must be fully and securely covered at all times during transport
- All hauling vehicles must maintain leak-proof conditions
- Any instances of spillage, leakage, or foul odors must be corrected immediately
Enhanced Supervision and Inter-Jurisdictional Enforcement
The memorandum further stresses the necessity for proper supervision of drivers, personnel, and contractors to ensure adherence to sanitation and environmental regulations. Barangays have been advised that traffic and enforcement authorities from other local government units may enforce applicable traffic, sanitation, and environmental laws within their respective jurisdictions.
This inter-jurisdictional enforcement capability represents a significant escalation in accountability measures, ensuring that compliance extends beyond Cebu City's boundaries.
Legal Framework and Public Health Imperatives
Mayor Archival's order operates under the authority of Republic Act No. 9003 (the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act), Republic Act No. 7160 (the Local Government Code), and other applicable laws, rules, and local ordinances. The mayor emphasized that strict compliance is mandatory as the city works to:
- Protect public health from sanitation-related diseases
- Prevent environmental hazards from improper waste handling
- Maintain orderly coordination among local government units
- Manage the ongoing waste disposal challenge effectively
Archival reiterated his call for cooperation among barangays to ensure responsible waste management and minimize health and environmental risks during garbage transport operations. The city faces continued pressure to address waste management systematically while navigating landfill access issues and community concerns.
