Fears raised over Binaliw

CEBU, Philippines — Councilor Joel Garganera has warned that the interim waste cell at the Binaliw landfill, located directly beneath the portion of the dump that previously collapsed, could trigger another deadly incident.

Garganera, chair of the City Council’s committee on environment, pressed Prime Integrated Waste Solutions, Inc. (PIWSI) during an executive session last Tuesday to explain why it resumed operations despite ongoing investigations by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

In an interview, Garganera identified the interim cell’s location as the most critical risk factor.

“Delikado gyud. Ang nibigay, kana mang naa sa tunga. There are still garbage up that will aggravate the weight. Possible na gyud nga another trash slide,” he said.

He described the garbage pile as equivalent to a “20-storey building,” disputing PIWSI’s claim that it stands only about 20 meters high.

However, PIWSI operations manager Niño Abellana Jr. maintained during the session that the heap merely appears taller because it sits on a slope.

Garganera countered: “Ngano gung dili delikado? Delikado gyud. Imagine that’s a 2,000-meter facility made of iron and steel, napilo-pilo man gani. Unsa pa kaha ng naa’s ubos ug pananglitan naa atong mga truck diha. Safety ba?”

The councilor also questioned the DENR’s issuance of “partial lifting” orders.

“How can they lift everything when the site is still full of garbage? So, muingon silag gamay raman tong ilang gibutangan og basura—partial lang na. It’s just terminology. Mao na diay niy practice ron nga bisag wapay husga ang diris taas (DENR Central Office’s composite team), pwede na diay mo makahimo og mga order or permits nga murag sukwahi man tingali noh?” Garganera said.

He added that even representatives from the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) failed to provide clear answers regarding the partial lifting of the cease and desist order that allowed limited landfill operations and the use of the interim cell.

“Lipat-lipat ni siya. Niingon lagi ko ba, sugo sa maayong pamatasan, syaro naman sad,” Garganera added.

Garganera also criticized PIWSI for failing to present visual documentation of its rehabilitation efforts.

“They were supposed to present updates sa ilang rehabilitation, pero wa gyud sila nagdag visual. Ang ilang gitagaag visual, kaning among hinimo. Amo na ni. This was flown last week, nag-drone mi. Wa gyud silay…mag-estorya sila didto nga baba ra,” he said, referring to drone footage taken by the council.

The City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) also admitted it had no prior knowledge of the landfill’s reopening.

“Ang opisina sa CCENRO gipangutana namo—kahibaw mo ani? Wala sad. Para nako dili man ni maayo ilang gibuhat. Gawas sa ilang gibuhat nga kasamok, sama sa pagkalas sa kinabuhi nga 36,” Garganera said, recalling the January 8, 2026 collapse that killed dozens and forced Cebu City to haul garbage to Aloguinsan and Consolacion at a cost nearing ?1 billion.

Garganera further demanded proof of safety assessments from the DENR and EMB.

“I ask, naa ba moy ikapakita nga assessment from these offices? Naa daw, natabunan man sa computer. Wala diay kopya ang EMB sa ilang assessment? Wa sad, natabunan sad,” he said.

“These are the same people that assured us after the earthquake and heavy rains that the site was safe. Now they cannot even produce their own evaluations,” he added.

In January, a massive trash slide buried workers and residents, leaving 36 people dead.

The disaster forced the city to spend nearly ?1 billion transporting waste to other municipalities.

Environmental groups and councilors have repeatedly flagged the site for alleged violations of Republic Act 9003, which prohibits open dumpsites, although PrimeWaste maintains it is operating a sanitary landfill.

Despite these concerns, the DENR’s regional office allowed partial operations to resume, citing “interim measures.”

Councilors, however, argue that the facility continues to function as an open dump, with no clear rehabilitation plan and no transparent safety assessments.

For Garganera, the issue goes beyond technicalities.

He earlier urged Mayor Nestor Archival to revoke PrimeWaste’s business permit until accountability is established and safety is assured.

“Their practice has caused kasamok, and it has already cost lives. These interim cells cannot be treated lightly. Basta katong ilang gipakita nga selda, delikado gyud. We cannot allow another tragedy,” Garganera said. — FPL (CEBU NEWS)