Cebu province turns to Aloguinsan landfill for waste disposal

Local

IN THE wake of the devastating landslide at the Binaliw landfill in Cebu City, the Cebu Provincial Government has announced that it will temporarily redirect waste generated from provincial properties, including the Capitol and other government-run facilities, to the Aloguinsan landfill.

This move comes as the Binaliw landfill remains closed due to its safety risks following the deadly incident, which left several workers trapped and dead.

Provincial Administrator Ace Durano confirmed on Tuesday, Jan. 13, that before the landslide, waste produced by government offices like the Cebu Provincial Capitol and other province-run establishments like Larsian food court were being dumped at Binaliw.

With the closure of the site, the provincial government moved quickly to find an alternative solution for waste disposal.

Durano confirmed that discussions had already taken place with Mayor Cesare Ignatius "Ig-Ig" G. Moreno of Aloguinsan, as well as with DENR Secretary Raphael Perpetuo "Popo" Lotilla.

He added that the Aloguinsan landfill had been used by Cebu City in the past, including during the terms of former mayors Michael Rama and Tomas Osmeña.

The Aloguinsan landfill, which is equipped with waste-to-energy (WTE) capabilities approved by both the OECD and the DENR, will serve as a temporary site for waste disposal.

Although this solution will work for now, the provincial government is actively exploring more sustainable waste management options, including transitioning to waste-to-energy technology.

This long-term strategy aims to reduce dependency on landfills, which have limited space and environmental challenges.

“Waste-to-energy (WTE) technology is the future. It requires large-scale operations to work efficiently. It can’t function like a traditional landfill, but it’s a necessary step in the right direction,” Durano said.

“We’re already working on plans for two new WTE facilities, one in the north and one in the south, which are expected to be up and running by the end of the year," he added.

This shift to WTE technology is part of Cebu's broader efforts to modernize waste management systems and reduce the environmental impact of traditional landfills.

Durano added that although the Aloguinsan landfill can handle the province's waste temporarily, it is critical that Cebu’s waste management infrastructure evolves to meet the growing needs of its urban centers.

The diversion of waste to Aloguinsan comes at a time when Cebu City is facing its own challenges related to waste disposal.

The closure of the Binaliw landfill has not only affected provincial operations but also put additional strain on the city's waste management systems.

Local government units are taking measures to address their own waste management issues, including developing their own waste-to-energy facilities to reduce reliance on traditional landfills.

Meanwhile, the DENR has issued a cease-and-desist order against Prime Integrated Waste Solutions, Inc., the operator of the Binaliw landfill, following the deadly landslide on Jan. 8.

In a statementthe DENR 7 emphasized that its priority is to safeguard public safety and prevent further environmental hazards.

The agency also pledged to conduct a thorough, evidence-based investigation to determine the causes of the collapse and to hold the responsible parties accountable.

The cease-and-desist order halts all landfill operations at Binaliw, including the acceptance of incoming waste.

However, ongoing rescue and cleanup activities are still permitted under the supervision of government agencies.(MyTVCebu)

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