DENR issues cease-and-desist order vs Cebu landfill operator

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Central Visayas has issued a cease-and-desist order against Prime Integrated Waste Solutions, Inc. (PWS), the operator of the collapsed landfill in Barangay Binaliw, Cebu City, where several people died.

“After the January 9 site inspection, DENR-EMB Region VII issued an immediate Cease-and-Desist Order to Prime Integrated Waste Solutions, Inc. under EMB MC 2007-002, halting landfill operations except for rescue, retrieval, and cleanup activities," the regional DENR said in a statement on Monday.

"The company has been called to a technical conference to establish facts and submit a compliance plan within 90 days,” it added.

So far, eight people have been confirmed dead, while 28 others remain missing following the landslide on January 8, according to Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival.

DENR Central Visayas said it will conduct an investigation to determine the cause of the tragedy and hold accountable those responsible.

“The DENR is closely coordinating with the concerned local government units in line with their mandates under RA 9003 and the Local Government Code, including waste collection, disposal, facility monitoring, and the submission of a 10-year Solid Waste Management Plan," the DENR said.

"We are working with them to review oversight measures and ensure full compliance,” it added.

GMA News Online has reached out to Prime Infra, the parent company of PWS, for comment and will update this story once it issues a response.

Meanwhile, a Senate resolution has been filed seeking an investigation into the compliance of sanitary landfills with the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 following the Barangay Binaliw incident.—MCG, GMA Integrated News