Davao Landfill Remains Closed; Mayor Baste Says Trash May Be Dumped in Front of DENR XI Office
The area in front of DENR XI’s office in Davao City has turned into a garbage collection point after the agency suspended operations at the city’s sanitary landfill. Photo taken on June 5, 2026, by GREGORIO BUENO/MindaNews.
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 6 June 2026) – Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte suggested residents dump their trash in front of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) XI compound in Lanang, blaming the agency for the city’s uncollected garbage. The suspension followed a trash-slide at the Barangay Carmen landfill on May 20, which killed two people, with one still missing as of Friday.
“We’ve identified additional collection points, including one in front of DENR XI, so they can see the garbage buildup caused by halting essential services,” Duterte said in a June 4 statement.
DENR XI stated the suspension, issued May 21, would only lift after safety measures are completed. Duterte claimed the city submitted all requirements, criticizing the delay as bureaucratic ineptitude.
MindaNews observed piles of garbage outside DENR’s office on June 5, reportedly dumped at 2 a.m. DENR warned of legal action under Republic Act 9003, saying violators had been identified.
Duterte said landfill development began in 2024, with an Environmental Compliance Certificate secured and final works expected by June 16. He argued operations could safely resume while corrective measures continue.
DENR Regional Director Atty. Ma. Mercedes Dumagan emphasized cooperation with the city but stressed safety as the priority. Alternatives include temporary disposal in neighboring LGUs and waste co-processing with Holcim-Geocycle.
The May 20 trash-slide affected 3.72 hectares, blocking roads, damaging homes, and displacing 180 families. Retrieval efforts for the missing person continue, with access restricted to authorized personnel.
DENR-EMB XI Director Alnulfo Alvarez said daily assessments are ongoing, and the suspension will lift once safety is confirmed. (Yas Ocampo/MindaNews)
