DENR issues cease-and-desist order vs. Rodriguez landfill after trash slide

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Environment Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) Calabarzon has issued a cease-and-desist order (CDO) against the Green Leap Solid Waste Management, Inc. Sanitary Landfill in Rodriguez, Rizal, wherein one person reportedly died following a trash slide last February 20.

DENR-EMB Calabarzon said the CDO covers the Phase 5 of the facility, which is approximately six hectares, where the incident occurred. Two other individuals are still missing, the agency also said. 

“A follow?up investigation on 23 February 2026 revealed several operational lapses, erosion of the active tipping area, foul odor from exposed waste, and a visible crack in the adjacent bench waste that threatens further collapse,” said DENR-EMB Calabarzon in a statement. “Multiple violations of conditions in the proponent’s Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) were also documented.” 

“In response, DENR-EMB CALABARZON ordered the immediate cessation of all landfill operations in Phase 5, except for emergency and remedial activities such as retrieval operations, slope stabilization, debris clearing, and installation of engineering controls to prevent further erosion.” 

DENR-EMB Calabarzon also told the proponent to move the active tipping area from Phase 5 to another area in the facility for safety reasons. 

“Green Leap Solid Waste Management, Inc. is required to submit a detailed report within five (5) days and to present its corrective actions during a Technical Conference scheduled on 25 February 2026 at 10:00 AM,” DENR-EMB Calabarzon said. 

“Failure to attend will be considered a waiver of the right to be heard, prompting DENR-EMB to proceed with appropriate legal action based on available evidence.” 

Meanwhile, the International Solid Waste Integrated Management Specialist Inc. (ISWIMS), the operator of the landfill facility, said it respects the CDO issued by the DENR-EMB Calabarzon. 

"ISWIMS fully respects the Cease-and-Desist Order (CDO) issued today, February 24, by the DENR-EMB CALABARZON. We would like to clarify that this CDO is specifically directed at our Phase 5 tipping area, where the incident occurred," said Mark delos Reyes, spokesperson and legal representatives of ISWIMS in a message to GMA News Online. 

"We are already in strict compliance with this directive, and the area remains completely cordoned off. Our 24/7 Search and Retrieval operations in the affected site will continue unhindered in coordination with the authorities," he added. "Meanwhile, normal waste disposal operations safely continue in a completely separate and secure cell to ensure unhampered public service." —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News