The death toll from the Binaliw sanitary landfill landslide rose to 20 on Wednesday after authorities recovered another body, as search and rescue teams pressed on despite worsening ground conditions.
Included in the recent fatality, identified as Body No. 018, was retrieved around 11:40 a.m. from Sector B, the back portion of the landfill. Officials believe the victim is male, pending formal identification.
The official tally now stands at 20 confirme: death. Search and retrieval operations remain ongoing.
Despite the rising fatalities, authorities emphasized that operations are still in the search and rescue phase, saying the chance of finding survivors, while increasingly slim, has not been ruled out.
“We cannot yet say this is purely retrieval,” said Cebu City disaster official Dave Tumulak. “To do so would be unfair to the families. We are still hoping for a miracle.”
Tumulak added that rescuers continue their work with empathy and determination, fully aware of the anguish experienced by families waiting for news of their loved ones.
“Our rescuers feel the pain of the families. They understand the fear and the agony they are experiencing, and that gives them the strength to continue,” he said.
Authorities, however, admitted that detecting signs of life has grown increasingly difficult. Heavy equipment has been deployed to clear debris, and persistent rainfall has saturated the ground, complicating recovery efforts.
“At this point, it is very difficult to use machines or gadgets to detect signs of life,” Tumulak said.
Earlier, Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival said Prime Integrated Waste Solutions Cebu, the landfill operator, committed to covering the medical expenses of injured victims and assisting the families of those who died.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has issued a cease-and-desist order, temporarily shutting down the Binaliw landfill while authorities investigate the cause of the collapse.
DENR Secretary Raphael Lotilla instructed the Environmental Management Bureau in Central Visayas to develop long-term, resilient solid waste management solutions for Cebu following the tragedy.
“Solid waste management is a combination of environmental, engineering, and governance challenges that demand comprehensive, long-term, and equitable solutions,” Lotilla said in a statement.
He ordered DENR Region 7 to conduct immediate assessment and containment of the landfill while ensuring continuity in waste collection. Lotilla also directed the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Region 7, the landfill operator, and waste management experts to coordinate engineering measures based on the site’s Environmental Management Plan.
The DENR said it would work with local government units, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and other agencies to identify alternative disposal sites to maintain uninterrupted waste collection, protect public health, and review national policies on landfill design and safety to prevent similar incidents. (LLP)
Photo by Jacq Hernandez
