Cebu City declares state of emergency over garbage woes

Local

FACING mounting pressure on its strained garbage disposal system, Cebu City has officially declared a state of solid waste management emergency.

This declaration has triggered stricter waste segregation, reduction, and disposal measures across the city.

Mayor Nestor Archival signed an executive order that immediately places the city under this emergency status.

The order directs barangays, households, businesses, and government agencies to enforce aggressive waste reduction and diversion policies.

This comes as Cebu City continues to grapple with limited landfill access, unresolved safety concerns at the Binaliw sanitary landfill, and fears that the city’s temporary dumping arrangement in Aloguinsan may soon reach capacity.

Under the new guidelines, all households are now required to segregate their waste.

Furthermore, only residual waste will be allowed for city collection and transport to landfill facilities.

Residents are likewise encouraged to reduce, reuse, and recycle waste, particularly plastics, while biodegradable waste should be composted at the source “whenever possible.”

Meanwhile, recyclable materials are expected to be sold, donated, or delivered to junk shops, recyclers, or material recovery facilities (MRFs).

In support of these rules, the order cited Republic Act No. 9003, which mandates waste segregation and diversion measures nationwide.

“The foregoing circumstances constitute an extraordinary situation that threatens public health, environmental safety, and essential public services,” the order read.

To ensure a smooth transition, the policy will begin with a pilot run in 10 barangays: Busay, San Nicolas Proper, Lorega San Miguel, Calamba, Tajero, Mabolo, Tinago, Inayawan, Lorega, and Kalunasan.

These pilot areas are expected to begin implementation within two weeks, backed by support from the Cebu City Solid Waste Management Board.

Following this, the board will evaluate the rollout within three months to determine if the system can be expanded citywide. The executive order also strengthens the Solid Waste Management Board and formally creates a specialized task force. This task force will serve as the operational arm of the city government. It will be responsible for coordinating training programs and monitoring compliance, assisting barangays and accrediting recyclers and haulers, and developing large-scale composting systems.

At the same time, private establishments, schools, and churches have been urged to help mobilize communities and install facilities that reduce waste generation.

Despite the urgency, the declaration marks a policy shift as the city faces growing uncertainty over long-term disposal options.

Just days earlier, Archival clarified that the city would not resume dumping at the controversial Binaliw landfill unless safety was guaranteed.

“Dili pa mi maglabay og basura didto,” Archival said during a May 4 press conference.

“Atong buhaton karon, we will make sure the safety sa mga tawo... nga naa gyud sa klaro,” he added.

The mayor also denied reports that full dumping had resumed following the partial lifting of a cease-and-desist order by the DENR-EMB.

Notably, the Binaliw facility remains under heavy scrutiny after a tragic trashslide on January 8 that killed 36 people.

Nevertheless, Archival pushed back against describing the situation as a “garbage crisis,” maintaining that the city remains clean despite collection issues in some areas.(TGP)