The DENR ordered a nationwide inspection of all operating sanitary landfills following the deadly collapse of a landfill in Binaliw, Cebu, to reassess safety, capacity, and compliance with environmental standards.
DENR Secretary Raphael Lotilla said the review will examine landfill lifespan, geological stability, and adherence to Republic Act 9003 amid rising waste generation, extreme rainfall, and seismic risks.
The Environmental Management Bureau and Mines and Geosciences Bureau will jointly evaluate slope stability, overcapacity issues, and other geological hazards, while prioritizing assistance to LGUs with aging landfill facilities.
Lotilla said the incident exposed weaknesses in the uneven implementation of the solid waste law, prompting the DENR to support proposed amendments that would strengthen accountability and clarify the use of newer waste management technologies.
The agency also formed an independent multi-sectoral body to investigate the causes of the Cebu collapse and determine accountability, as it pushes for stronger waste segregation and enforcement nationwide.
Source: PhilNews24 | January 28, 2026
