Following Binaliw tragedy: Segregation policy moved

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City government has moved the implementation of the “No Segregation, No Collection” policy to March this year, following the deadly collapse of the Binaliw landfill and logistical challenges tied to the Sinulog festivities.

“We were supposed to start January 1 to 15 with information dissemination, then January 16 to 30 for the dry run, and February 1 for the actual implementation. However, there were problems—wa na tay kalabayan, and we also have Sinulog. So what we are going to do is move the actual implementation,” Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival explained the adjustment in his latest press conference at City Hall.

The enforcement of Ordinance 2031, aligned with Republic Act 9003, requires households and establishments to segregate their waste into Malata (biodegradable), Dili Malata (non-biodegradable, such as plastics, metals, and glass), and Compostable (organic waste for compost pits).

Thus, starting in March, unsegregated waste will no longer be collected, and violators may face fines ranging from ?1,000 to ?5,000 or imprisonment of up to six months.

While enforcement is deferred, the city continues its information campaign across barangays, distributing flyers and encouraging community assemblies.

Barangay Lahug, for example, has launched its own awareness drive with hotline numbers and color-coded bins, reflecting the citywide push for compliance.

 “We continue the information drive. Flyers will be distributed all over. We want the city to be clean. Cleanliness is next to godliness,” Archival declared.

On January 8, this year, a massive portion of the Prime Integrated Waste Solutions-operated landfill in Barangay Binaliw collapsed, burying workers under tons of garbage and metal structures from the materials recovery facility.

The disaster killed at least 36 workers and a rescuer, and injured dozens more, exposing lapses in disaster preparedness and waste management planning.

Quest for A New disposal site

The closure of Binaliw, Cebu City’s primary landfill, forced the diversion of hundreds of tons of daily garbage to Consolacion, where the Asian Energy Systems Corp. facility now serves as a stopgap disposal site.

However, the city was given only 30 days to dispose of its waste there, prompting officials to explore alternative landfills and long-term solutions.

These include materials recovery facilities, transfer stations, and pressing Prime Waste Solutions to fulfill its commitment to build a transfer station in Binaliw.

The other day, Mayor Archival presided over the Cebu City Development Council meeting with barangay officials, the Solid Waste Management Board, and partner agencies.

The meeting tackled practical measures such as proper segregation, composting methods, shredding, and correct disposal practices.

“Importante kaayo ang papel sa barangay sa pagpatuman niini aron mas epektibo ang sistema sa tibuok siyudad,” Archival emphasized, underscoring the barangays’ role in reducing waste at source.

He added that Cebu City’s vision remains to be Smart, Sustainable, and Inclusive, achieved through strong coordination and collaboration with barangays and partner agencies.

The city government is also in talks with the LGUs of Minglanilla, Bogo, and Aloguinsan for possible landfill partnerships.

Yesterday, Archival also joined a coordination meeting at the Cebu Provincial Capitol with DENR Secretary Raphael Lotilla, Governor Pamela Baricuatro, Minglanilla Mayor Rajiv Enad, Talisay City Mayor Samsam Gullas, and DENR Region VII officials.

The group discussed immediate and long-term measures to manage the garbage crisis, including alternative disposal options, strengthening segregation at source, reducing waste volume, and exploring new technologies.

Archival stressed the importance of shared responsibility, particularly among large establishments, in managing and transporting their own waste.

 “Padayon ang among paningkamot pinaagi sa panaghiusa ug lig-on nga koordinasyon aron masiguro ang malungtarong solusyon sa solid waste management alang sa tanang Sugboanon,” he said.

Minglanilla rejects Cebu City proposal

During the Capitol meeting, Minglanilla Mayor Rajiv Enad firmly rejected proposals to use Minglanilla as a disposal site for Cebu City’s garbage. In a statement to his constituents, Enad clarified.

“You may have been wondering about the reports of ‘negotiations’ for Cebu City to dump their garbage in Minglanilla. This is not true, as no one from the Cebu City Government nor from the DENR has approached or called me about the matter. Not until this morning, when I was called to the Capitol for an emergency meeting.

There, the DENR Secretary apprised us of the need for Cebu City to find an alternative site for their wastes, and that DENR 7 identified Minglanilla as among the alternatives. With all humility and honesty, I spoke up in the meeting, bringing with me the voice of Minglanillahanons in giving a resounding NO to their proposal,”Enad said.

Enad stressed that transferring the environmental and social burden of a big city like Cebu to a small town like Minglanilla was “unreasonable and fundamentally unjust.”

He pointed out that Minglanilla already bears the cost of hauling its own garbage to Naga, while its privately owned landfill has been closed for three years due to non-compliance and environmental damage. Garbage continues to trickle down to rivers, threatening local water sources.

He also presented manifestos from barangay captains, Sangguniang Kabataan leaders, and petitions signed by thousands of residents of Manduang, where the landfill is located.

“They say the set-up would be temporary. But, having experienced it before, and as we continue to experience it now, we in Minglanilla know that the detrimental impact on our environment, and possibly on public health, would be long-term,” Enad said.

“Napadungog nato ang lanog nga pagsupak sa planong dalhon sa Minglanilla ang basura sa Cebu City. Kining atong decision para sa mga Minglanillahanon karon. Ug para sa mga umaabot nga Minglanillahanon,” Enad declared.

Eventually, the Provincial Government has agreed to explore other waste disposal areas and remove Minglanilla from the list of options.

As Cebu City prepares for the March enforcement of Ordinance 2031, officials continue to highlight the importance of segregation at source and barangay-level participation. The city government is now working with regional and provincial partners to secure sustainable solutions, while reaffirming its commitment to protect public health and the environment.  RAE (CEBU NEWS)