MANILA — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has ordered the immediate shutdown of the Binaliw sanitary landfill in Cebu City following a deadly trash slide at the facility last Thursday.

The agency expressed its deepest sympathies to affected families and pledged a thorough, impartial, and evidence-based investigation to determine the causes of the incident, responsibilities of relevant parties, and necessary changes moving forward.

“Following the findings of DENR‑EMB (Environmental Management Bureau) Region 7 technical personnel during their site inspection on 9 January 2026, the Regional Office has issued an immediate Cease‑and‑Desist Order (CDO) to Prime Integrated Waste Solutions, Inc. (PIWSI), formerly ARN Central Waste Management, Inc.,” a DENR Central Visayas statement read on Monday.

“The CDO directs the facility to cease all sanitary landfill operations, including the acceptance of waste, except for rescue, retrieval, and cleanup operations in coordination with concerned agencies,” it added.

PIWSI has been summoned to a technical conference to establish the facts of the case and submit a compliance commitment within 90 days. The CDO was issued under EMB Memorandum Circular 2007‑002, which allows the EMB Regional Director to stop operations when grave or irreparable environmental damage is imminent.

Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival Sr. said eight people have died, 12 were injured and are being treated in hospitals, and 28 are still missing, believed trapped under rubble.

The DENR highlighted the role of local government units under the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 and the Local Government Code of 1991, noting that LGUs are primarily responsible for solid waste management, including collection, disposal, monitoring, and enforcement of local environmental ordinances.

“This includes waste collection, disposal, monitoring of facilities, and enforcement of local environmental ordinances. LGUs are also required to prepare and submit a 10‑year Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP) to the National Solid Waste Management Commission,” the DENR said.

DENR Central Visayas said it will work with the LGU to assess their SWMP and oversight measures. “The DENR remains committed to transparency, due process, and collaboration with LGUs, communities, and stakeholders. Our priority is to ensure environmental safety, prevent further risks to life and property, and strengthen long‑term compliance with environmental laws,” it said.