CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has assured immediate assistance and access to benefits for injured workers and the families of those who died in the Binaliw landfill tragedy in Cebu City, following the conclusion of local search-and-rescue operations.
The move is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive for swift and coordinated government response during emergencies.
Through the Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC), DOLE, in a statement, said qualified families of deceased workers may receive death pensions, funeral benefits, and immediate cash assistance under the Employees’ Compensation Program.
Injured workers may also avail themselves of sickness or disability benefits, including reimbursement for medical expenses.
ECC Executive Director Kaima Via Velasquez said the agency is closely coordinating with DOLE Central Visayas, the Social Security System (SSS), and the employer, Prime Waste Solutions Cebu, to expedite the processing of claims.
“We have instructed our regional officer in Cebu to prioritize these cases and extend all possible assistance to the affected workers and their families,” Velasquez said.
DOLE Central Visayas reported that it has been monitoring the incident since it occurred and has maintained coordination with the landfill owner, SSS, and ECC, even while rescue operations were ongoing at the time.
DOLE-7 Regional Director Roy L. Buenafe said the employer has committed to settling all outstanding claims.
Beyond employees’ compensation benefits, DOLE said it will also provide livelihood and emergency employment assistance to eligible victims through the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) and the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD).
DOLE added that profiling and information-gathering activities are ongoing to ensure the timely delivery of services to affected workers and their families.
Seeking justice, accountability
Civil society groups in Cebu held a press conference at the University of the Philippines Cebu yesterday (February 9) and presented initial findings from a series of independent investigations into the Binaliw landfill tragedy.
The groups cited multiple occupational safety and health (OSH) violations before the incident, including pest infestations, soil erosion, air pollution, poorly equipped personnel, and structural cracks in landfill facilities.
Speakers said workers and residents had previously raised concerns, but these were allegedly dismissed, with safety personnel assuring them that such conditions were normal.
“Whenever heavy equipment came to dump garbage, the land would shake,” said Howell Villacrucis of Alyansa sa mga Mamumuo sa Sugbo-Kilusang Mayo Uno (AMA-SUGBU KMU).
Villacrucis added that safety inspections were allegedly limited to drone flyovers conducted by safety officers, which he said failed to capture ground-level hazards and working conditions at the landfill.
The groups collectively called for justice and accountability, urging the government and/or the affected families to file criminal charges against Prime Waste Solutions Cebu, which they said was responsible for the deaths of 36 individuals in the tragedy.
Sustainable waste management
The groups also expressed opposition to the city government’s plans to shift to waste-to-energy (WTE) disposal, citing potential environmental risks and adverse impacts on local communities.
“Our stance is that the city government, in collaboration with DENR and other government agencies, should plan sustainable solid waste management strategies without relying on private partnerships, said Kyle Enero, President of BPO Industry Employees Network (BIEN)–Cebu.
Code Green Philippines, represented by Shela Sanchez, advocated for Zero Waste Management as a more sustainable alternative to WTE, emphasizing the need to address the root causes of waste generation rather than relying on disposal-focused solutions.
| Written by Elizabeth Salarde, UP Intern /RAE
