Residents living behind the sanitary landfill in Barangay New Carmen, Davao City have expressed concern that they may no longer be allowed to return to their homes and could lose their livelihood after a portion of the landfill collapsed on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.

The incident left a 31-year-old man dead and two others missing, as of this writing.

Authorities evacuated families in Purok 8 after tons of garbage slid down, burying some residents and houses.

Police cordoned the area off while search operations continue for the missing elderly women.

Residents have begun selling their livestock, including pigs, as there is still no assurance as to whether they will be allowed to return to their homes.

There is also no final directive yet on whether they can resume scavenging for garbage, which has long been their source of income.

“Diri naman gud nagakuha og pagkaon nila unya karon ing-ani basin di nami pakahigon diri ba. So, ibaligya nalang gyud namo ni para makwartahan pagyud ba kaysa matabunan gyud. Sayangan gyud pero okay nalang kay wala man tay mahimo kay nahitabo naman gyud ni,” affected resident, Rene Ocoy, said.

“Napugos nalang ko kay kaning hitaboa wala gyud mi kwarta naipon ani diri, masakiton pud kong dako unya akong bana dili napud katrabaho. Mao ni nga amo nalang ipugos unya naa man mi run sa brgy unya problema lagi mi dili man pud magdugay ani run og asa mi karon padulong ani,” another resident affected, Marceline Alfeche, added.

Other residents hurriedly packed their belongings, including the garbage they had already collected, fearing they might no longer be allowed to return.

If they are prohibited from scavenging for garbage, they will also lose their source of livelihood.

After the incident, residents were moved to the barangay gymnasium where tents were set up as their temporary shelter.

GMA Regional TV One Mindanao is reaching out to the city government regarding the living situation of affected residents.