CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES — The Cebu Electricity Rights Advocates (CERA) has warned that the Consolacion landfill is approaching a “catastrophic overload,” cautioning that the facility could reach its maximum capacity as early as mid-2026 if current waste disposal rates continue.
CERA convenor Nathaniel Chua issued the warning in the aftermath of the January 8 landslide at the Binaliw landfill, which he described as a painful reminder of the risks posed by overburdened waste facilities.
According to CERA, more than 1,000 tons of garbage per day from the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu are now being diverted to the Consolacion site, pushing it rapidly toward what the group called a “danger zone” of maximum capacity.
“If the present dumping rate continues, Consolacion risks the same geotechnical instability that triggered the Binaliw disaster,” Chua warned, citing excessive landfill heights and moisture saturation following recent heavy rains.
In a statement, CERA stressed that Metro Cebu is facing a dual crisis, the environmental collapse from unmanaged waste and a growing power shortage that threatens economic stability.
Linking waste problem to energy woes
The group linked the waste problem to Cebu’s energy situation, noting that the province’s power reserve margin frequently falls below the 200-megawatt safety buffer, leaving the grid vulnerable to outages and “yellow alerts.”
While waste-to-energy (WTE) facilities are being promoted as a solution to both garbage disposal and electricity generation, CERA cautioned that these projects should be treated as supplementary sources, not replacements for large-scale, dependable power plants.
“WTE can help, but it cannot carry the grid,” Chua said. “Cebu’s growth in 2026 depends on firm, 24/7 baseload power.”
CERA warned that continued reliance on imported electricity via submarine power cables leaves Cebu exposed to grid instability and supply disruptions.
The group urged the Department of Energy (DOE) to immediately fast-track the development of 100-megawatt or larger baseload power plants located on Cebu Island, describing these facilities as the “spine” needed to stabilize the provincial grid.
Without decisive action, CERA cautioned, Metro Cebu risks repeating the Binaliw tragedy while simultaneously facing power shortages that could hamper business operations, tourism, and overall economic growth.
“We cannot afford to wait for another disaster. The warning signs are already here,” Chua further said.
| Written by Mitchelle Palaubsanon
