Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival has expressed support for a planned Senate inquiry into the deadly landslide at the Binaliw landfill, saying national oversight could help strengthen waste management policies and prevent future tragedies.
In a press conference on Monday, January 12, Archival welcomed Senator Imee Marcos’ move to investigate the January 8 collapse at the Prime Integrated Waste Solutions facility in Barangay Binaliw.
“Nalipay ko ana,” the mayor said, adding that a Senate probe would ensure the city’s landfill is properly monitored and maintained according to Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) standards.
Beyond accountability, Archival said the inquiry could spark a broader discussion on the country’s waste crisis, particularly the unclear status of waste-to-energy (WTE) technologies in the Philippines.
“Because of what’s happening, waste is not going down—it’s increasing,” Archival said. “We need clarity on what kind of waste-to-energy technology can really be allowed.”
The mayor also called on businesses and residents to take a more active role in managing their waste, stressing that responsibility should not rest solely on the city government.
“We are in a crisis,” he said, urging establishments to strengthen their own waste management practices and residents to commit to proper garbage segregation to reduce landfill volumes.
Senator Marcos earlier said she plans to file a Senate resolution not only on the Binaliw incident but also on the condition and management of landfills nationwide. Marcos was in Cebu over the weekend for a family event when news of the disaster broke.
The proposed Senate investigation comes as rescue teams continue working under hazardous conditions at Binaliw, where shifting trash piles and unstable debris complicate search and retrieval efforts.
As of Monday morning, the death toll has risen to eight, according to the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRRMO).
Eighteen people were injured, and 28 remain missing.
Of the injured, 11 are confined at North General Hospital, while seven are receiving treatment at VISMED Medical Center. All eight fatalities have been brought to St. Peter Funeral Homes in Imus for identification and proper disposition.
Authorities said 21 of the missing workers were employed by Prime Waste, the landfill operator, while seven were subcontracted personnel.
A total of 248 responders from various agencies remain deployed at the site, supported by heavy equipment and emergency vehicles.
Archival has also requested the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council to declare a state of emergency in Barangay Binaliw, citing the scale of the disaster, the risks to rescuers, and the growing costs of ongoing operations and waste hauling. (LLP)
