- DENR XI temporarily suspends waste disposal after fatal collapse
THE DEPARTMENT of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) XI has ordered the immediate suspension of waste disposal at the New Carmen Sanitary Landfill following a deadly collapse that claimed one life and left two individuals missing.
In a statement dated May 25, Atty. Maria Mercedes V. Dumagan, DENR XI regional executive director, confirmed that the order would allow the local government unit to carry out slope stabilization measures and other recommended corrective actions.
The suspension aims to bring the facility into full compliance with Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Waste Management Act, as well as the conditions set under its environmental compliance certificate.
“In the meantime, let us place our trust in their plans and follow their directives to ensure public safety,” Dumagan said.
The official urged the public to take an active role in practicing waste segregation at home and adopt proper waste management to reduce the volume of garbage collected by the local government.
“This simple effort will be a big help and will significantly ease our waste collection challenges,” Dumagan stressed.
The incident that prompted the DENR action occurred around 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20, when a portion of the sanitary landfill in Barangay New Carmen, Tugbok District, gave way, sending tons of garbage sliding down toward houses built in the lower area.
Water buildup beneath the landfill, triggered by continuous heavy rainfall, was the likely cause of the collapse.
The Davao City Police Office identified the deceased as Cristel, 31, a waste picker, while the two missing individuals were identified as Luisa, 78, and Rosita, 67. Two others sustained injuries and were brought to the hospital.
Meanwhile, Harvey Lanticse, chief of the City Information Office, said the local government has temporarily suspended the utilization of the landfill effective May 22, 2026, in compliance with the DENR order.
However, the city filed a motion for reconsideration with DENR XI on Tuesday, May 26, citing the results of geotechnical assessments conducted at the site and the recommended corrective measures at the existing landfill facility.
“Moving forward, the city will utilize its new landfill facility adjacent to the existing site in Barangay New Carmen,” Lanticse said.
The public is advised to properly segregate waste at home to help reduce landfill waste and facilitate recycling and recovery efforts, as the City Environment and Natural Resources Office continues to conduct garbage collection operations as scheduled.
The tragedy has renewed wider concerns over Davao City’s growing waste management problem, as the volume of garbage collected continues to increase yearly.
According to data from CENRO, the actual average disposal at the sanitary landfill as of 2025 reaches 753 tons daily. The facility is already operating at full capacity after opening in December 2010. It’s the reason why the city is fast-tracking the new one, located adjacent to the existing landfill at New Carmen.
The total land area of the facility is 6.5 hectares with a total project cost of P559 million (P340-M for initial and P219-M for additional appropriation, which construction started in October 2024.
