- DENR-EMB updates on ongoing sanitary landfill audit
THE DEPARTMENT of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau XI reported on Friday that the city government of Davao is “making progress” on meeting all the requirements needed to reopen the sanitary landfill.
In a statement on Friday, June 12, the DENR XI reported the development after it convened with the Davao City Environment and Natural Resources Office on June 10 to review the local government’s progress report and compliance.
To note, on May 22, 2026, the Davao City Sanitary Landfill was issued a suspension order following the tragic trash slide incident on May 20.
Since the incident, the Environmental Management Bureau XI’s technical inspection and assessment team has been conducting daily site visits to enforce the suspension order, gather updates, and monitor the implementation of the LGU’s mitigating measures.
This includes the comprehensive assessment on June 7 to evaluate the feasibility of the LGU’s proposed interim measures, based on its submitted Appeal and First Progress Report dated June 5.
The agency also conducted another assessment on June 8 to determine the presence of waste mass following the 7.8-magnitude earthquake.
Davao City’s Office of the City Engineer reported ongoing concrete pouring at the unloading bay section and the installation of a geoliner at the New Sanitary Landfill.
“The DENR-EMB XI and the LGU of Davao City continue to work hand in hand to resolve the city’s waste collection and disposal challenges,” DENR said, noting both parties will reconvene to discuss the findings and determine next steps.
The agency said it is committed to finding solutions and providing alternatives to address the city’s waste collection and disposal concerns.
“Landfill operations will resume once the site is declared safe and the facilities are verified to be fully compliant with environmental and safety standards,” the agency stressed
Atty. Norlito Eneran, DENR assistant secretary for legal services and enforcement, stressed that local government units are responsible for enforcing Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Waste Management Act.
Eneran explained this during an interview with RMN News on Thursday in a discussion about sanitary landfill regulation.
He further explained that DENR provides the policies and guidance to the LGUs.
“Ang DENR po ang nagibibigay ng technical advice sa ating local government unit, na primary agency na nagpapatupad ng provision ng ating batas. Sila po ang nag-i-implement. Ang DENR po ang nagbibigay ng polisiya at ng guidance sa ating LGUs,” he said.
When asked about the illegal dumping of waste in front of the DENR XI office, Eneran said the agency is studying the possible steps to escalate the matter to the court.
“Pinag-aaralan na din po namin ang mga hakbang kung papano naming idudulog sa korte, sa tamang pamamaraan, yung nangyari,” he said.
EMB findings
The EMB XI team reported the assessment findings, which included compliance with the suspension order, no waste pickers present onsite, and the evacuation of settlers surrounding the dumpsite.
The site grading and slope stabilization are also ongoing in the existing landfill, as well as the stabilized unloading bay.
Meanwhile, in the new sanitary landfill, findings include ongoing concrete pouring at the unloading bay, installation of an HDPE liner, and ongoing benching at the landfill cell.
The new sanitary landfill, adjacent to the current existing dumpsite, is targeted to begin operations on June 16.
