Cebu trash site operator ordered to stop operations after fatal landslide

January 12, 2026 | 5:50pm

MANILA, Philippines — After the deadly landslide at a Cebu City landfill killed and injured many, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) ordered landfill operator Prime Integrated Waste Solutions Inc. (PIWSI) to suspend its operations.

In a statement on Monday, January 12, the DENR said it had issued a cease-and-desist order against Razon-owned Prime Waste after its technical team in Central Visayas inspected the site on January 9.

The Barangay Binaliw landfill in Cebu City collapsed onto a materials recovery facility and nearby staff housing on January 8, leaving more than 50 sanitation workers trapped under debris.

As of Monday, eight people have been confirmed dead, while 28 remain missing, according to the Cebu City Disaster Council. This means more casualties may emerge as search and rescue operations continue. 

The DENR said the cease-and-desist order was issued under a 2007 memorandum from the Environmental Management Bureau, which allows the EMB Regional Director to stop a firm's operations when "grave or irreparable environmental damage is imminent."

Local officials have already flagged several issues with the 20-hectare landfill, including towering garbage heaps exceeding safe limits and poor waste management.

Retrieval continues despite halt order. While the cease-and-desist order stops Prime Integrated Waste Solutions Inc. from accepting waste or running its landfill operations, the company must continue rescue, retrieval and cleanup work alongside concerned government agencies.

"PIWSI has also been called to a Technical Conference to establish facts and execute a compliance commitment within a period not exceeding 90 days," the DENR said. 

The landfill operator reportedly processes 1,000 tons of solid waste each day. It was the primary drop station for garbage in Cebu City, according to Mayor Nestor Archival. 

In the wake of the landslide, the DENR said it has been coordinating with local government units to assess and strengthen solid waste management, covering waste collection, disposal, facility oversight and enforcement of environmental ordinances.

"The DENR will work with them to determine the status of their required Solid Waste Management Plan and the oversight measures implemented," it added.

LGUs are mandated by the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 to provide a 10-year plan to the Solid Waste Management Commission, detailing measures for waste collection, recovery and reduction.

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