Cebu leaders unite to tackle waste problem

CEBU CITY -- Local leaders from the highly urbanized cities of Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu and Cebu urged stronger coordination across Metro Cebu to address the escalating solid waste problem. They emphasized that no single local government unit can handle the challenge alone, especially in light of the ongoing waste management crisis triggered by the Binaliw landfill trash slide in Cebu City. The call came during the Cebu Provincial Waste Management Summit held at Marco Polo Plaza Cebu on March 19, which gathered local chief executives, provincial officials, national agencies, and environmental stakeholders. The summit, themed "Understanding Choice Series: Cebu's Waste Dilemma and Potential Solution-Interventions," aimed to examine the rising waste problem in the province and explore practical interventions. Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Jovito Ouano said that waste management remains one of the most persistent challenges for local governments, citing its daily impact on communities. Get the latest news delivered to your inbox Sign up for The Manila Times newsletters By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. He reported that Mandaue currently handles about 318 tons of waste each day, and that hauling costs have tripled following the Binaliw landslide, further straining city resources. "Waste management is something we deal with every day. It may not always be the most talked-about, but for us in local government, this is one of the most real and constant challenges we face," Ouano said. Advertisement Ouano highlighted that Mandaue has improved its systems since closing its dumpsite in 2016, noting the Solid Waste Diversion Program, which focuses on recovering recyclable materials and reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills. He added that the city is shifting its approach from mere disposal to resource recovery and community discipline. He also pointed out that waste management education has been integrated into schools, aiming to instill responsible habits from an early age. Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Ma. Cynthia Chan echoed Ouano's call for unified action, reporting that her city generates around 200 tons of waste daily. Advertisement She said that effective waste management reflects leadership, discipline and community responsibility, beyond mere statistics. "As local chief executives, we are not only managers of waste. We are builders of systems, enforcers of policies, and leaders who influence behavior in our communities," Chan said. She highlighted Lapu-Lapu City's continuous collection operations, barangay-level engagement, waste diversion initiatives, and strict policy implementation. Still, she added that collaboration among local government units (LGUs) is critical to tackling Cebu's waste challenges. Advertisement Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival warned neighboring municipalities and component cities to act early before they face a similar crisis. He said the waste problem in Cebu City should serve as a cautionary example for the province, noting that rising population, economic activity, and visitor influx connect the city to surrounding areas. "We have a garbage problem in the city, in the province, and all of this is connected," Archival said. Archival noted the need for coordinated solutions and encouraged waste diversion measures such as segregation, recycling and composting to reduce landfill volume. Advertisement He disclosed that Cebu City will allocate the largest portion of its upcoming supplemental budget to waste management, reflecting the urgency of the issue. Archival noted that many provincial towns have not yet faced major waste problems. He also said that it is crucial for them to implement the right solutions now to prevent a situation similar to Cebu City in the future. Archival added that local governments must actively participate in addressing the garbage issue. Advertisement Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro spearheaded the summit and launched the province's "Clean Cebu Campaign," a unified initiative to strengthen waste management systems across municipalities and component cities. She emphasized the urgency of addressing waste concerns to safeguard public health, ensure safety, and improve disaster preparedness. Officials from national agencies, including the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Department of the Interior and Local Government, supported calls for stricter segregation, improved landfill management, and active participation from communities and civil society groups. On Jan. 8, a massive garbage landslide hit the sanitary landfill in Barangay Binaliw, Cebu City, when a huge pile of waste suddenly collapsed and buried workers and facilities at the site. Advertisement The tragedy left 36 people dead and 18 others injured, most of whom were sanitation workers on the site at the time. The collapse disrupted waste disposal operations for Cebu City and its neighboring areas and led authorities to halt landfill activity while investigations into the cause continue.