Council wants EMB-7 to explain absence

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Council is pressing the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Central Office to investigate why its regional bureau failed to attend a legislative inquiry into the controversial Binaliw landfill.

This stems from an approved resolution filed by City Councilor Pastor “Jun” Alcover Jr. right after the September 8, 2026, executive session was convened.

The session was meant to gather technical and regulatory clarifications from agencies including the Office of the Building Official, the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office, and Prime Waste Solutions, Inc., the landfill operator.

DENR–Environmental Management Bureau Region VII (DENR-EMB-7) was expected to provide critical input on environmental permits, compliance requirements, and the legality of continued landfill operations during rehabilitation.

However, during the legislative inquiry, no representative from DENR-EMB VII appeared. The council said no sufficient explanation was given for the absence.

No representative from EMB-7 was also present during the City Council’s ocular inspection of the Binaliw landfill last week, following the full lifting of its Cease and Desist Order after the deadly trash slide last January.

THE FREEMAN tried to get a statement from the agency, but no response was received as of press time.

The body stressed that this prevented them from obtaining the technical information needed to evaluate the landfill’s compliance and undermined their oversight function.

The resolution now directs the DENR Central Office to determine whether proper notice was received, investigate the circumstances of the non-attendance, and establish if administrative accountability should be imposed.

The Council also asked the DENR Central Office to furnish a written report of its findings and transmit supporting documents, including invitations, notices, attendance records, and minutes of the session, for appropriate action. Copies of the resolution will be sent to DENR-EMB VII, the Office of the Mayor, and other concerned offices. — /IHM (FREEMAN)