The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Davao (DENR-11) has suspended the disposal of waste at the sanitary landfill in Barangay New Carmen, Davao City following a trash slide on May 20, 2026, that left one person dead.

According to DENR-11 Director, Atty. Maria Mercedes Dumagan, the suspension will allow the local government to implement slope stabilization measures and other recommended actions.

"We strongly encourage all Dabawenyos to practice waste segregation at home and adopt proper waste management to reduce the volume of garbage collected by our LGU. This simple effort will be a big help and will significantly ease our waste collection challenges," Dumagan said.

With this, barangays conducted rounds in the community to announced the suspension of landfill waste disposal.

“Nagparekorida ko para istop ang paglabay sa basura dinhi sa atong collection point,” Barangay 5-A Chairman Gilbert Mata said.

According to the barangay, measures have been taken to manage waste collection in their communities.

Residents were advised to store their garbage temporarily at home and taught how to manage their waste.

“Ginabutang lang nako sa cellophane ug ibutang sa sako ingon ani unya ilabay sa balete unya kay bawal man diay. I-safe lang, ibutang lang diri siya, istambay,” a resident, Baby Dumandan, said.

“Pwede siya iminimize ang atong basura by naa tay proper waste disposal like pwede ta maghimo og compost pit sa likod if ever katong nabubulok at di nabubulok,” another resident, Daisy Joy Coles, added.

However, the barangay appealed to the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) to ensure that the local government continues collecting their garbage, especially since one of the city’s major public markets is located in the area.

GMA Regional TV One Mindanao is reaching out to the Davao CENRO for a statement, as of this writing.

Meanwhile, the local government assured the public that it would comply with the necessary requirements, especially after the DENR-11 issued a Notice of Violation on March 19 for operating the landfill without a discharge permit, failing to meet effluent standards, and having an improper leachate treatment system.

City Councilor Tek Ocampo, chairperson of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, a site has already been identified for a new sanitary landfill near the existing landfill area to serve as an additional waste disposal facility.

“Currently, we are approving the budget through SB No. 1 para pud madugangan ang atong budget para makumpleto nato ang mga kinahanglan nato diha sa atong bag-ong sanitary landfill,” Ocampo said.