Davao City landfill closed permanently after deadly trash slide

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Davao (DENR-11) has ordered the permanent closure of the sanitary landfill in Barangay New Carmen, Davao City following a fatal trash slide.

In a statement, DENR-11 said the permanent closure was ordered after the temporary waste disposal extension had expired.

DENR-11 said all dumping operations at the landfill must stop permanently.

The city government has also been directed to submit a draft safe closure and rehabilitation plan within 30 days.

"Amo pung gi-require ang LGU to submit their draft na Safe Closure and Rehabilitation Plan that is required in every SLF nga nagsarado na," DENR Regional Executive Director, Atty. Ma. Mercedes Dumagan, said.

DENR-11 said waste disposal services will be transferred to an operational “interim cell” within the new sanitary landfill facility to prevent disruptions in waste disposal operations and avoid public health and environmental risks from garbage accumulation.

The permanent closure stemmed from the trash slide that left two people dead, one missing, and two others injured on May 20, 2026.

After the incident, DENR-11 suspended the operations at the landfill due to alleged violations of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 (RA 9003) and other landfill operation regulations.

DENR-11 said the local government was granted a temporary window to resume garbage disposal operations until June 16, 2026.

On June 17, Dumagan and Environmental and Management Bureau-11 Director Alnulfo Alvarez signed the final order stopping activities at the landfill permanently, except for mitigation and rehabilitation works.

"Last June 17, 2026, ang DENR EMB nag-release og order for the permanent closure of the Old SLF (Sanitary Landfill) kasi nag-issue man gud ta og temporary lifting sa atong suspension order. It was only up to June 16, 2026 because the commitment then of the LGU is by June 17,2026, ready na daw ang new interim cells sa new SLF (Sanitary Landfill)," Dumagan said.

DENR-11 said the interim cell at the new landfill facility was completed and deemed structurally ready to receive waste as of June 18, 2026.

“Moving forward, the old landfill will strictly undergo safe closure and rehabilitation. DENR-EMB-XI will continue to monitor the Davao City LGU’s compliance to ensure long-term public safety and environmental sustainability,” DENR-11 said. — with reports from Efren Mamac, GMA Regional TV One Mindanao