Cebu landfill death toll climbs to 27

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January 17, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — The death toll in the collapse of a mountain of trash in a landfill in Cebu City has risen to 27, with nine people still missing, after another body was retrieved yesterday morning, according to the city government.

The 27th fatality, who has yet to be identified, was found at 9:36 a.m. at the facility’s Sector Delta, according to Councilor David Tumulak, chief of the city disaster risk reduction and management council.

Labor groups and landfill workers said the collapse of garbage in Barangay Binaliw was not a natural disaster or an accident.

The Philippine National Waste Workers Alliance said the tragedy was due to years of neglect, weak enforcement of policies and political indifference.

Jaime Paglinawan, chairman of the AMA Sugbo-Kilusang Mayo Uno, wondered whether workers of the Binaliw landfill were ever provided with basic social protection coverage under the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. and Social Security System.

Meanwhile, Cebu Archbishop Alberto Uy visited and offered a mass at the site on Thursday, ahead of the observance of the day of mourning yesterday.

Uy was joined by members of the Cebu Caritas Inc., who distributed relief goods to families of the victims and survivors.

On the same day, President Marcos vowed accountability and transparency in the investigation that will be conducted into the incident.

Marcos assured the public that the government is taking concrete steps to address the matter and providing assistance to the victims.

Earlier, the Sangguniang Panglungsod declared Jan. 16 as a day of mourning. All flags in government offices were flown at half-mast yesterday. — The Freeman