Cebu City Defers Binaliw Landfill Use Despite Partial Reopening
The Cebu City Government will not resume dumping its waste at the Binaliw landfill despite the approval of its partial reopening. Mayor Nestor Archival emphasized that safety and full compliance with regulations must come first.
Archival stated that the city is exercising caution after the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-EMB 7) lifted the cease-and-desist order (CDO) against Prime Integrated Waste Solutions (PWS), the operator of the facility. The mayor clarified that the city will only consider using the landfill again once all technical, environmental, and safety requirements are met.
This decision follows the tragic trash slide incident on January 8, 2026, which claimed lives. To address the situation, the city has issued an executive order establishing interim waste management measures and creating a Waste Crisis Task Force. This task force will include the City Environment Office, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO), City Legal Office, City Health Office, technical experts, civil society groups, and City Council members.
The task force is tasked with conducting an independent safety validation of the landfill to determine whether it is truly safe for workers and nearby communities. Until safety is assured, the city will continue dumping waste in Aloguinsan under a current tonnage-based agreement expected to last until the second week of May. A new bidding process may also be conducted depending on developments.
According to the DENR, the partial lifting only allows limited operations in clearly engineered portions of the landfill and does not constitute a full reopening. John Edward Ang stated that the decision was based on the operator's compliance with remediation measures and the urgent need for a disposal site.
Niño Abellana, PWS manager, confirmed during an executive session of the City Council on April 28 that they have begun accepting limited waste in an interim cell, which he assured is far from the site of the January landslide. New safety upgrades include slope stabilization and engineered containment systems. Strict monitoring of incoming waste volume is also in place.
Despite PWS's assurances, Councilor Joel Garganera and other council members remain concerned. They questioned the timing of the reopening and the lack of information while investigations into the previous tragedy are ongoing. The council is seeking clear safety benchmarks and information on which agencies evaluated the site.
The City Government's position remains firm: no waste will be dumped in Binaliw until an independent assessment proves it is safe for everyone.
