Cebu City Councilor Demands Local Government Accountability in Escalating Waste Disposal Crisis
Cebu City Councilor Joel Garganera has issued a strong appeal for the City Government to assume complete responsibility for its intensifying waste management problem. This call to action comes as neighboring municipalities, including Minglanilla and Talisay, have firmly declined to accept Cebu City's garbage, creating a critical disposal dilemma.
Garganera Supports Minglanilla Mayor's Decision, Urges Independent Solution
Garganera, who chairs the Cebu City Council's Committee on Environment, expressed his position through a Facebook post on Friday, January 23, 2026. He stated that he understands and agrees with Minglanilla Mayor Rajiv Enad's refusal to take the city's waste. "I agree with the decision of the Mayor of Minglanilla. They're already dumping their garbage to other LGUs, so it's no longer practical to accept ours," Garganera remarked.
He emphasized that Cebu City should not depend solely on the Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (EMB-DENR) to negotiate with other local government units. "This is our problem. We should solve it on our own," Garganera added, underscoring the need for local initiative and accountability.
Waste Crisis Intensifies Following Binaliw Landfill Closure
The councilor's urgent plea emerges amid growing concerns over Cebu City's waste disposal capabilities after the closure of the Binaliw landfill. This facility previously handled a significant portion of the city's garbage, and its shutdown has forced the City to seek alternative disposal methods.
One proposed solution involved transferring waste to nearby towns, but this plan has faced strong opposition from local officials and communities, exacerbating the crisis.
Provincial Meeting Highlights Firm Opposition from Neighboring Towns
On Thursday, January 22, a provincial coordination meeting was held, led by Governor Pamela Baricuatro and attended by DENR Secretary Raphael Lotilla. Officials from Cebu City, Minglanilla, Talisay, and other municipalities gathered to discuss waste management strategies.
During the meeting, Talisay City Mayor Gerald Anthony Gullas Jr. stated that his city could not accommodate garbage from other local government units. However, he offered support in other areas, such as traffic management, if waste transport routes pass through the southern region.
Minglanilla Mayor Rajiv Enad reiterated his town's firm stance against accepting Cebu City's waste, citing significant environmental and public health risks. He explained that Minglanilla's landfill has been closed for three years after the private owner failed to meet obligations under a municipal agreement. This closure has forced the town to haul its own garbage to a private facility in Naga City.
"Transferring the environmental and social burden of a big city like Cebu to a small town like Minglanilla is unreasonable and fundamentally unjust," Enad asserted, highlighting the disproportionate impact on smaller communities.
Mounting Pressure and Urgent Need for Sustainable Solutions
Cebu City continues to face increasing pressure over its waste disposal crisis, with Garganera noting the city's limited options. "We don't have the luxury to choose where to dump our garbage. We are at the mercy on whoever is willing to accept it," he said, pointing to the dire situation.
This ongoing issue underscores the critical need for long-term, sustainable waste management solutions that address both immediate disposal challenges and broader environmental concerns. The refusal from neighboring towns signals a turning point, pushing Cebu City to develop independent strategies to manage its own waste effectively.
