“No Segregation, No Collection” in barangays

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival announced that he will issue a memorandum to all barangays within 30 days to strictly enforce the “No Segregation, No Collection” policy following its pilot testing.

The mayor emphasized that households and institutions must segregate waste at source or risk non-collection, a measure he believes will significantly reduce the city’s dependence on landfills and ease its mounting financial burden.

Archival explained to the media yesterday that while the Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB)-7 has given the city 90 days to comply with its cease-and-desist order (CDO) against the use of the South Road Properties (SRP) transfer station, clearing operations are already underway and could be completed within two weeks.

“Well, ang gihatag sa CDO niya is 90 days… of course naa tay 90 days but we are doing the best we can nga malimpyo nana because we’re actually targeting nga malimpyo nana within the next siguro two weeks,” Archival said.

He also stressed the urgency of lifting the CDO on the Binaliw landfill, which has been partially reopened.

“Ang ato lang gyud nga mahangyo nato ang DENR nga look into the process kon unsa gyud angay buhaton nga ma-lift na ang cease and desist order sa Binaliw… Because the city is bleeding P4.2 million every day,” he said.

He explained that while a partial lifting has allowed some cells to be used, the city is appealing for full reopening.

“Mao man gud ni… naay partial nga murag partial lifting… mura ra siyag gamay ra… naa namay cell nga pwede na. In fact ang mga cell karon, gigamit na na sa mga private, diba?.. so that’s why nga atong gihangyo nga considering nga nana nay mga cell nila nga nahuman, nga maka dawat na sa tanang mga garbage,” Archival added.

The mayor emphasized that the city is not pressuring DENR but asking for fair prioritization.

“If there is a way nga matan-aw nila nga madali, I’m not pressuring them, kon unsa lay sakto, kay naa naman na… then tagaan unta tag prioridad. Kay the moment nga wala na na (CDO) I think ang atong problema sa garbage which is going there, masulbad na,” he said.

Archival also outlined the next steps.

“Ang sunod lang sad nato nga pagabuhaton ma-reduce nato ang garbage going sa landfill. Ang ako lang karon, I will have a very strong memorandum sa tanang mga barangay captains within the next nga 30 days nga you cannot throw not until segregated… or less if you segregate, you deliver that sa eco station that we will be the one to manage…30 days,” he said.

He pointed out the financial strain of hauling garbage to Aloguinsan.

“Mahal kaayo–P4.2 million a day whereas adto ta sa Binaliw which is P2.1 million average,” Archival said.

The closure of the Inayawan landfill in 2018 forced the city to rely on hauling contracts and the Binaliw landfill, which has faced repeated complaints over odor and environmental risks.

In January 2026, a tragic trash slide at Binaliw killed dozens, prompting DENR to shut down the facility and later impose a CDO. (CEBU NEWS)