Waste volume in upward trajectory

CEBU, Philippines — The volume of garbage in Cebu City has consistently increased over the years, with current projects indicating a total of 706.89 tons per day.

Data from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), obtained by The Freeman, reveals that Cebu City had a total projected solid waste generation (TPSWG) of 674.92 tons per day, which rose by 6.28 tons in 2021.

The upward trajectory continued in the following years, increasing to 687.53 tons in 2022 and 693.92 tons in 2023. By 2024, the city breached the 700-ton mark with 700.38 tons, with further growth recorded in 2025.

At present, Cebu City relies on a single sanitary landfill, the Prime Integrated Waste Solutions, Inc. (PIWS) in Binaliw, a privately-owned facility. However, the city faces additional challenges due to the limited number of junk shops and recycling facilities.

DENR data indicates that PIWS handles 573 tons of waste per day, servicing not just Cebu City but also Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, Cordova, and as far as Compostela.

In response to the growing waste management concerns, Cebu City Mayor Raymond Garcia expressed gratitude to various offices for responding to his call to clean up Sitio Nava (Badjaowan) in Barangay Mambaling. The area had been overwhelmed by a massive pile of garbage, primarily debris from upland areas that became trapped in the former dwellings of the Badjaos.

The garbage became more visible after a massive fire hit the area earlier this month, contributing to flooding in parts of Mambaling due to clogged waterways.

Mayor Garcia acknowledged the progress made in the cleanup efforts.

“We have seen progress made in cleaning up the area and expect this to be totally cleaned up soon,” he said.

Before the recent cleanup in Mambaling, the city government had conducted a citywide cleanup drive led by Vice Mayor Donaldo Hontiveros.

Mayor Garcia emphasized the importance of educating residents on proper waste segregation and disposal.

“Our challenge now is to make sure nga we educate our people, our constituents on how to dispose of their garbage,” he said during the flag-raising ceremony at City Hall yesterday.

He admitted that addressing this long-standing problem will be a challenging task in the coming months and years. However, he called on City Hall employees to step up and support the government's efforts in solving the issue.

Despite previous attempts to enforce a “no segregation, no collection” policy, the City government has yet to fully implement it. — (FREEMAN)