A deadly incident occurred at a private landfill in Cebu City on Thursday when a massive collapse buried workers and civilians. At least one person was confirmed dead, and more than 30 individuals remain missing after the mountain of rubbish gave way. Rescuers have successfully pulled 12 injured sanitation workers from the debris.
Authorities have swiftly mobilized over 300 personnel from various government agencies, alongside civilian groups, to assist in the search and retrieval efforts. Excavators, ambulances, and fire trucks have been seen working tirelessly at the site. Cebu Mayor Nestor Archival, in a statement, expressed the challenging nature of the operation, noting that pulling debris from the top could worsen the situation for those trapped beneath.
Search and Rescue Operations in Full Swing
The rescue teams are using heavy machinery to sift through the rubble, but the terrain poses a significant challenge. “If you pull from the top, the bottom is soft. This can make the situation worse,” Mayor Archival explained. The city has seen an outpouring of support from local agencies, and civilian volunteers have also been joining in the efforts.
Local authorities have warned that the collapse might not be the result of a typical landslide. They suspect that it may have been caused by unsafe waste management practices at the landfill.
Poor Waste Management Practices Behind Collapse
Cebu City councillor Joel Garganera has voiced concerns over the conditions at the Binaliw Landfill, pointing out that the site was not a sanitary landfill but rather an open dumpsite. According to Garganera, the operators had been mining soil and piling garbage on top, creating an unstable mountain of waste. He added that the hazardous conditions were a key factor in the disaster.
“This is not a sanitary landfill,” Garganera stated, referring to the site where workers had been operating. “It’s already an open dumpsite.”
Families Await News of Trapped Relatives
While rescuers continue their search, families of the missing workers are anxiously waiting for news. Some residents from the nearby Binaliw area have gathered at the site, desperate to find their loved ones. Michelle Lumapas, a local resident, shared her heartache with the media, saying, “I could not understand my emotions. They said those trapped are calling for help, so there is a possibility that my brother is still there.”
The victim count currently stands at one confirmed fatality—a 22-year-old woman who was among those caught in the collapse. Efforts to identify further casualties are ongoing as rescue teams comb through the remains of the landfill.
Landfill and Waste Management in Cebu
The Binaliw landfill spans approximately 15 hectares (37 acres) and is one of several waste disposal sites in Cebu, a city central to the Philippine archipelago. Cebu, known for its role as a trade and transport hub, faces growing challenges regarding waste management. Poorly maintained landfills in major cities such as Cebu have long been a concern for environmentalists and local governments.
This incident raises alarms about the broader issue of waste management across the Philippines, highlighting the risks associated with the lack of proper landfill practices.
