DENR-7 closes Binaliw facility

Meanwhile, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has ordered the immediate closure of the Binaliw Sanitary Landfill following the tragic January 8 incident, expressing sympathy to the families affected and vowing a thorough investigation into the incident.

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In an official statement, the DENR-7, through OIC regional executive director Laudemir S. Salac, said it is conducting a comprehensive, impartial, and evidence-based probe to determine the cause of the trash slide, identify those responsible, and recommend necessary corrective measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Based on the findings of the DENR-Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Region VII technical team during a site inspection conducted on January 9, the Regional Office issued an immediate Cease-and-Desist Order (CDO) against Prime Integrated Waste Solutions, Inc. (PIWSI), formerly known as ARN Central Waste Management, Inc.

The CDO was issued pursuant to EMB Memorandum Circular 2007-002, which grants the EMB Regional Director the authority to suspend operations when there is an imminent threat of grave or irreparable environmental damage.

Under the order, PIWSI is directed to halt all sanitary landfill operations, including the acceptance of waste, with the exception of activities related to rescue, retrieval, and cleanup, which must be carried out in coordination with concerned government agencies.

The landfill operator has also been summoned to a Technical Conference, during which facts surrounding the incident will be established and acompliance commitment will be executed within a period not exceeding 90 days, the DENR said. —/RAE

The resolution seeks a Senate inquiry, in aid of legislation, in the wake of the deadly garbage collapse at the Binaliw Sanitary Landfill in Cebu City, which left at least six people dead and dozens more missing.

Operations at the facility were immediately suspended after the incident. Reports said around 50 sanitation workers were buried when a massive mound of waste gave way at the landfill, which Prime Waste Solutions Cebu operates.