A landfill collapse in Binaliw, Cebu City, Philippines, on Thursday, January 9, 2026, has resulted in 11 confirmed fatalities, 12 injured individuals, and more than 20 people reported missing. The incident occurred at a waste segregation facility operated by Prime Integrated Waste Solutions, Inc., prompting intensified search and rescue operations and calls for investigations into the country's waste management practices.
Incident Details
The collapse involved a large mound of garbage, earth, and debris at the waste segregation facility in the village of Binaliw. The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon, January 9, 2026. Jaylord Antigua, a 31-year-old office worker at the landfill, described the collapse as rapid and unexpected, occurring during fair weather conditions.
A preliminary report from the local Mines and Geosciences Bureau suggests that continuous rainfall in recent weeks may have contributed to the landslide by making the rubbish heavier, with other engineering factors also under investigation. The overall cause of the collapse, however, remains undetermined.
The collapsing material impacted a low-slung warehouse used by workers for separating recyclable waste, which was reportedly destroyed. Bienvinido Ranido, a resident near the landfill, reported observing people flee the site before his wife's body was retrieved the following day. It is not yet clear if nearby residences were also affected. The Binaliw landfill covers approximately 15 hectares.
Casualties and Rescue Efforts
Initial reports following the collapse indicated one fatality, seven injuries, and between 27 and 38 individuals missing. Over the subsequent days, the confirmed death toll rose, reaching 11 fatalities. All confirmed deceased individuals were employees of the landfill and waste management facility, and included an engineer and a female office worker.
Twelve injured individuals have been rescued and hospitalized. Between 12 and 13 people were retrieved alive from the site within the initial hours and overnight following the collapse. Search and rescue operations have been ongoing, utilizing diggers and, later, a 50-ton crane. Rescuers detected signs of life in specific areas on Saturday, prompting intensified search efforts. However, a local fire official indicated that the likelihood of finding additional survivors diminished three days after the collapse due to the volume of debris.
Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival emphasized the importance of ensuring responder safety during retrieval efforts due to hazards such as unstable debris and acetylene risks. This led to adjustments in the security perimeter and controlled access at the site.
Official Response and Investigation
Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival and the Office of Civil Defense confirmed active search and retrieval efforts for the missing. Regional police director Brig. Gen. Roderick Maranan also provided initial reports on the rescue operations.
Environment authorities have ordered Prime Integrated Waste Solutions, Inc., the operator of the Binaliw landfill, to suspend operations at the site. The company is required to submit a compliance plan within 90 days. The local Department of Environment and Natural Resources has announced an investigation into the cause of the collapse and pledged to hold responsible parties accountable.
Lawmakers, including Senator Imee Marcos, have called for reviews of the country's waste management system and the working conditions of waste workers. Senator Marcos specifically requested an investigation into the Binaliw landfill's operations and called for reforms. The incident's potential effect on garbage disposal in Cebu, a city with a population of nearly a million people, is also being addressed, with preparations underway to manage collection issues.
Background
The incident highlights longstanding concerns regarding safety and health at landfills and open dump sites across the Philippines, particularly in areas near poor communities where residents often engage in scavenging. A notable similar disaster occurred in July 2000 in Quezon City, where a dump site collapse and subsequent fire resulted in over 200 deaths. That event prompted new legislation for waste management and mandated the closure of illegal dump sites nationwide.