CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES — Weeks after the tragic collapse of the Binaliw Landfill in Cebu City that claimed the lives of 36 workers, assistance to the bereaved families continues to pour in from various government departments.
Among these is the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 7–Central Visayas, which distributed food assistance to families as authorities continue their recovery and support efforts following the disaster.
This came after assessments led by DSWD Field Office 7 Regional Director Shalaine Marie S. Lucero, together with Disaster Response Management Division (DRMD) Chief Lilibeth Cabiara, who visited the site a day after the collapse to evaluate needs and coordinate relief efforts.
On Tuesday, January 20, 2026, DSWD-7’s DRMD turned over eleven Family Food Packs (FFPs) to affected households at the Barangay Binaliw Hall to help address immediate food needs as families recover from the incident.
In addition to the family food packs, Ready-to-Eat (RTE) food boxes were promptly provided to the victim-survivor and to the families of those buried in the avalanche.
Just recently, authorities have confirmed that the death toll from the landfill collapse last January 8, 2026, has reached 36, based on the official count, after rescue teams recovered the last missing victim.
Search, rescue, and retrieval operations have since been completed.
On top of the food distribution, DSWD-7, in its statement, affirmed that members of YAKAP-accredited clinics remain prepared to assist displaced families, while partner agencies, including local government units, continue coordinating support such as medical care, psychosocial assistance, and livelihood aid.
The agency reiterated its commitment to delivering timely relief and support to communities affected by disasters and emergencies, working closely with local authorities and other concerned agencies to mitigate the impact on vulnerable families.
The collapse of a massive portion of the Prime Integrated Waste Solutions-operated landfill in Barangay Binaliw buried workers under tons of garbage and metal structures from the materials recovery facility.
Since then, the disaster has killed at least 36 workers and a rescuer and injured dozens more, exposing lapses in disaster preparedness and waste management planning.
| Written by Mitchelle Palaubsanon
