Binaliw tragedy update: At least 20 dead, 18 injured, 16 missing

CEBU, Philippines — Nearly a week since the January 8 landfill collapse at the Prime Waste Solution-Cebu facility in barangay Binaliw, the search for victims continues as the toll rises. As of press time, the official count stands at 20 dead, 18 injured, and 16 still missing.

The Freeman learned that all workers that got injured were admitted to different hospitals but majority of them have already been discharged last January 12. As of yesterday, there are four workers left in the hospital.

The latest recovery of a body was made in Sector B at the back portion of the site. Formal identification is still pending.

Most of the bodies extricated yesterday are from sections A and B, which are the back portion of the warehouse. The sequence of recoveries underscores the slow, painstaking process of clearing debris as teams pressed on into the seventh day of operations.

In its official statement released yesterday, Prime Waste Solutions (PWS) Cebu, said they “share in the grief of the families and loved ones affected by the incident at the Binaliw facility. The incident has had a profound impact on the community, and our thoughts remain with all those affected.”

The company cited the initial assessment from the City government of Cebu, which said that the collapse was “likely triggered by a combination of seismic events and frequent rains, including the magnitude 6.9 earthquake on September 30, 2025 and subsequent aftershocks, followed by extreme rainfall from Typhoon Tino in early November.”

It added that inspections before the incident showed no visible signs of weakening in the affected landfill cell.

PWS Cebu said it has provided financial assistance, medical coverage, psychosocial services, and funeral support to families, while committing to rehabilitate the affected cell, clear debris, and cap the impacted area.

Operations remain suspended under a cease and desist order from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Councilor Dave Tumulak, chair of the city’s disaster committee, lamented delays in the release of the official list of employees and subcontractor personnel present during the collapse as well as on the use of term “retrieval” in its latest statement.

“They are not in a position to say it (retrieval). Until today, they never sent us (MDM) the official lists of employees of Prime and of the other four subcontractors during the incident, and those who are safe.”

Tumulak added that PWS Cebu “are not transparent, although saying perhaps because they are still busy … but wonders that, being a big company, someone should be on top of this to take over the situation.”

Later in the day, Prime Waste then submitted the complete list of workers and contractors onsite, but Tumulak is still submitting it to Mayor Nestor Archival and asking for a “go” signal for the release of such information.

Initial data, however, show that eight of the deceased were residents of Consolacion, with others from Sapangdaku, Apas, Inayawan, Agsungot, and Binaliw itself. One victim’s address remains undetermined.

The landfill collapse, though contained within the facility footprint, has reverberated across Cebu.

Families continue to wait in vigil as responders clear debris piece by piece. Each recovery brings closure but deepens the grief. Officials indicated that more victims may yet be found.

The tragic incident has underscored the risks faced by workers in the waste management sector and renewed calls for accountability and stronger safety standards. — /RAE (FREEMAN)