CEBU CITY — The Senate has launched an inquiry into the country’s waste management system after a deadly collapse at the Binaliw Sanitary Landfill claimed multiple lives and left dozens missing, exposing persistent challenges in enforcing environmental laws and managing growing waste volumes.
Sen. Imee Marcos filed Resolution 244 on Monday, directing the appropriate Senate committee to investigate compliance of sanitary landfills with Republic Act (RA) 9003, also known as the “Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000,” and other related laws, rules and regulations.
Based on the document sent to The Manila Times on Monday, the probe also seeks to assess whether existing legislation is sufficient to handle the increasing amount of waste generated nationwide.
The resolution cited the Binaliw disaster on Jan. 9, as a pressing example of the dangers posed by overfilled, poorly managed or inadequately regulated landfill facilities.
Reports indicated that approximately 50 sanitation workers were buried when a massive mound of garbage collapsed at the site, which is operated by Prime Waste Solutions Cebu.
In the resolution, the senator stressed the need to review existing laws, saying, “solid waste management remains beset by persistent challenges arising from the increasing volume of waste generation, inadequate waste management infrastructure, and varying levels of compliance with existing laws, rules, and regulatory standards.”
Meanwhile, the Cebu City government has deployed around 300 personnel to aid in rescue and recovery operations.
Designated areas were established for families seeking information about missing relatives, while local authorities conducted investigations into the cause of the collapse.
Preliminary findings suggested a possible link of the collapse to the 6.9 magnitude earthquake that struck Cebu in September 2025.
The resolution also referenced past tragedies as reminders of the risks posed by improper waste management.
These include the 2000 Payatas dumpsite collapse in Quezon City, which killed more than 200 people during heavy monsoon rains, and a 2011 landfill collapse in Baguio City, which claimed five lives and buried several homes.
Despite the establishment of the National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC) under RA 9003 and the creation of roughly 12,864 materials recovery facilities nationwide serving nearly half of all barangay, solid waste management in the Philippines continues to face serious challenges.
Increasing waste generation, limited landfill capacity, gaps in enforcement, and inconsistent compliance among local government units remain persistent issues.
The resolution also noted that several countries, including Singapore, Japan, and Germany, have adopted waste-to-energy technologies such as controlled incineration, which can reduce waste volume by 70 to 90 percent, conserve landfill space, and generate electricity from recovered energy.
Legislative measures have also been proposed in the Philippines to lift the ban on incineration as part of ongoing efforts to modernize the country’s solid waste management framework.
The Senate inquiry aims to determine whether existing laws adequately protect public health and the environment, and whether additional measures or reforms are needed to prevent future tragedies at landfills.
In a show of solidarity with the victims, Marcos visited Cebu over the weekend to offer prayers for those affected by the Binaliw landfill collapse.
She visited the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño de Cebu, where she lit candles and prayed for the recovery and healing of the victims and their families.
The senator shared snapshots from her visit, which included her stopover at the church as part of the ongoing Fiesta Señor celebrations.
However, the senator’s visit drew criticism online after photos circulated showing her wearing a red sleeveless blouse inside the Basilica, an outfit prohibited under the church’s dress code.
In a statement, Fr. Jules Van Almerez, OSA, media liaison of the Basilica, reminded the faithful that standards of reverence do not change based on the actions of others.
He said that even if some visitors fail to follow the dress code, it does not mean others should follow their example, and emphasized the need for everyone to remain humble and disciplined in their conduct within the church.
The Binaliw disaster has reignited public attention on the country’s waste management system, the need for stricter compliance with environmental laws, and the ongoing challenges of safeguarding the health and safety of sanitation workers and nearby communities.
