Marcos Jr. vows aid for landfill collapse victims

MANILA, Philippines —  President Marcos yesterday vowed to ensure accountability in the collapse of a mountain of garbage at a private landfill in Cebu City as well as provide assistance to families of the victims.

As this developed, the death toll in the incident, which occurred on Jan. 8 in Barangay Binaliw, rose to 20, with 16 still missing as of yesterday.

In a speech during the naming and delivery ceremony for the world’s first methanol dual-fueled bulk carrier in Cebu, Marcos offered prayers for the victims and assured their families of assistance.

“As the search and rescue operation continues, we offer our prayers for the souls of the departed and strength to their grieving families,” the President said.

Marcos said that burial and other forms of assistance are being given to those affected by the incident.

“Let us stand in solidarity with our fellow Filipinos during this difficult time,” the President said.

Earlier, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) shut down operations at the landfill.

The landfill operator, Prime Waste Solutions Cebu Inc., has vowed to comply with the DENR order, which only allowed rescue, retrieval and cleanup activities at the site.

Prime Waste said the company shares the grief of families affected by the incident.

It said assistance was provided to the victims and their families right after the incident.