CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES — Following the tragic landfill collapse at the Prime Waste Solutions Facility in Barangay Binaliw on January 8, the Cebu City Council passed a series of resolutions expressing grief over the lives lost and praising the courage of individuals who responded to the disaster.
Tons of accumulated waste collapsed within the landfill that—burying workers and triggering a frantic rescue effort—left 36 workers dead, 18 injured, while posing grave risks to public health and the surrounding communities.
In response, the council passed a series of resolutions that both mourned the tragedy and honored the courage of those who responded.
To support his bereaved family, the resolution approved ₱100,000 in financial assistance, directing the City Treasurer, Budget Office, Accounting Office, and Department of Social Welfare and Services to facilitate the aid.
Another resolution, jointly filed by Councilors Tumulak and Joel Garganera, extended commendation to the broad network of responders who rushed to the site.
The Disaster Risk Reduction Management Offices from Cebu City, Mandaue, Bogo, Cordova, Consolacion, and the province were recognized, alongside the Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine National Police, Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation, Philippine Air Force, Coast Guard, Navy, Red Cross, ROVER volunteers, barangay responders, and the Department of Social Welfare and Services.
Their coordinated actions were credited with preventing further casualties and stabilizing the situation, underscoring the importance of inter-agency cooperation in times of crisis.
Councilor Pastor “Jun” Alcover Jr. filed yet another resolution focusing on the heroism of John Lloyd Ople, a garbage truck spot checker who rescued three co-workers before authorities arrived.
The Council commended Ople’s “exceptional bravery, selflessness, and presence of mind,” and requested the Office of the Mayor to extend financial assistance to him.
The resolution also urged the landfill operator to provide immediate financial, medical, and humanitarian aid to the families of the victims, placing responsibility not only on government but also on private operators to support those affected.
Honoring rescue volunteer who died
Toledo City Mayor Marjorie “Joie” Perales offered a deeply personal tribute to Singson, who was a resident of Lutopan, Toledo City.
In a gesture of respect, she tucked a Philippine flag on his coffin and remembered him as “usa sa pinaka kugihan, usa sa pinaka abtik ug aduna’y dakong gugma sa pagpanerbisyo sa katawhan.”
Her words carried the grief and gratitude of a community that had long known Singson’s devotion to service.
“Salamat kaayo sa imohang natabang Sir Ramon Singson, dili lang sa Brgy. Lutopan, kundi sa mga lugar nga imohang giserbisyohan, ilabi na sa pagtabang nimo sa Binaliw Landfill retrieval operation. Our condolences and sympathies sa asawa, anak ug tibuok pamilya. Pahulay sa dayon, Sir Ramon,” she said.
Through these resolutions and tributes, Cebu City and Toledo City has sought to ensure that the memory of those who served in Binaliw will not fade.
The tragedy revealed the dangers faced by workers and responders, but it also illuminated the courage of individuals like Ramon Singson and John Lloyd Ople, whose actions now stand as enduring inspiration for a city determined to rise from disaster with resilience and dignity.
| Written by Caecent No-ot Magsumbol /Photo by Joy Torrejos
