It has been five days since the Binaliw tragedy, and the number of casualties continues to increase as the hours pass. During my last visit, I found myself among restless family members eagerly waiting for news of their trapped loved ones. Their eyes were glued to every responder who emerged from the site, hoping for a nod, a name, or any sign that someone had been found alive. Many insist they are still hearing faint cries for help beneath the rubble. Others claim they continue to receive text messages from those trapped below. It is a race against time, made more complicated by the constant fear that another collapse from the mountain of trash could happen at any moment.
By now, there have been countless takes on the landfill —an infrastructure meant to be a solution to the city’s growing garbage problem. Cebu City generates tons of waste daily, and the local government pays for its disposal by the ton. On paper, it sounds efficient. On the ground, however, it is a different story. I spoke with several family members of those affected, and their sentiments were strikingly similar. They had long wanted their loved ones to quit their jobs at the landfill. Alternatives were discussed, other livelihoods considered, but the immediate need to earn a living always won. Thus they stayed, despite the risks, the hazards, and the quiet fear that followed them to work every day.
That is why when I saw Barangay Binaliw’s contingent during the Sinulog sa Dakbayan over the weekend, I could not help but cheer. The dancers were full of energy, marching alongside their village officials. I tried to speak with their barangay captain about the incident, but she declined to discuss the tragedy. She simply said they were fulfilling their obligation as a contingent and that they included, in their intentions, healing for everyone still under the rubble. Their costumes were vibrant, their movements purposeful, and their smiles spoke volumes. In the midst of grief, this was their way of holding on to dear life.
Responders at the site shared stories of victims who tried their best to survive but ultimately could not. Hearing these accounts is nothing short of heartbreaking. Still, we cling to the hope that a miracle might allow someone to endure until operations end. Meanwhile, another part of the city is wrapped in devotion and festivity for the feast of the Child Jesus. Like those buried in the landslide, devotees too are holding on to life —asking for intervention, whispering wishes to the Santo Niño, and hoping to be heard.
This is a challenge not just for the city and its officials, but for everyone who lives in it. While we know we can withstand many hardships, we cannot accept a situation where more lives are lost by the minute. It is time to seriously evaluate our waste disposal system, beyond segregation slogans and temporary fixes. Exploring alternatives such as waste-to-energy facilities should no longer be an afterthought. It takes grit and political will to protect lives. What a way to start the year, indeed.