Informal trash workers at the New Carmen sanitary landfill in Davao City are concerned about their income after a “mass wasting” incident on May 20 halted all operations. Authorities described mass wasting as the downhill movement of rock and soil due to gravity, differing from landslides, which involve faster-moving material. Juniel Dacaldacal, 24, who earns ₱500 daily as a trash hauler, expressed anxiety about the suspension, as his hauling company can no longer collect from the site. The landfill, suspended indefinitely, indirectly supports the local economy, with around 3,000 residents relying on it for livelihood. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) XI confirmed the suspension to implement slope stabilization measures, urging residents to segregate waste to reduce garbage volume. Access to Purok 8, where the incident occurred, was prohibited, and residents were barred from dumping or collecting amidst the ongoing stabilization efforts. Scrap pickers and buyers, like Jay Petere and Antonio Tabar, face uncertainty, with some considering alternative jobs like construction. The landfill’s distinct scent, flies, and recyclable materials define New Carmen, where trash is seen as potential treasure. Prices for scrap materials vary, with bronze fetching ₱600/kg and mixed recyclables priced at ₱80/kg. Temujin “Tek” Ocampo, chair of the city council’s environment committee, clarified that while barangays could halt collections, there was no citywide stoppage. However, trucks faced delays entering the landfill, with Roberto de Ramos, a driver, waiting 24 hours due to the backlog. The mass wasting, which claimed two lives, left residents like Gerald Loganio assisting in recovery efforts, with one resident still missing. The incident underscores the landfill’s critical role in the community’s livelihood and the challenges posed by its suspension. (Yas D. Ocampo / MindaNews)
