President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. offered prayers on Thursday, January 15, 2026, for the victims of the deadly trash slide at a landfill in Barangay Binaliw, Cebu City.

According to a GMA News Online report, Marcos was in Cebu for the delivery ceremony of Hull No. SC443 — an 81,200-metric ton, dual-fuel methanol-powered KAMSARMAX bulk carrier — in Balamban.

''Before we start, let us take a moment of silence for the victims of the landfill incident in Barangay Binaliw, Cebu City, last January 8,'' Marcos said in his speech. 

''As search and rescue operations continue, we offer our prayers for the souls of the departed and strength to their grieving families,'' he added. 

He guaranteed that the government is taking all the necessary measures to ensure safety, transparency, accountability, and compassionate assistance for the victims and their families, the report added.

The President said burial support and other forms of assistance are being directed to those who have been affected by the tragedy.

The death toll from the deadly trash slide has risen to 22, as of January 15.

Senior Fire Officer 1 Fulbert Navarro from the Bureau of Fire Protection Special Rescue Force said the rescue operation was difficult because the debris and waste were so dirty and that even a small cut on the skin could cause a serious infection.

Initial probe indicated that the incident could have been caused by the overall effect of the earthquakes and its aftershocks last September 2025, followed by the heavy rain brought by Tropical Cyclone Tino in November.

Authorities said they were conducting regular inspections on its landfill cells.

Before the incident, no signs of weakening were reportedly observed in the affected cell, such as cracks or unusual discharge of leachate, the dirty liquid that forms when rainwater or other liquids seep into the garbage or landfill.

(via GMA Integrated News)