CEBU CITY-- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources--Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB 7) lifted the Cease and Desist Order (CDO) against Prime Integrated Waste Management Inc. for its Binaliw Sanitary Landfill Project on condition that the company must continue to meet the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) requirements to ensure incidents like the previous trash slide do not recur, and the completion of rehabilitation and stabilization work remains the top priority.
EMB Regional Director Atty. John Edward Ang said that the partial lifting is conditional after the company met key remediation and operational commitments. “Cebu has an urgent need for a functional waste disposal facility to handle the city’s waste, and our decision followed a careful evaluation of the company’s compliance measures that of balanced environmental safeguards with practical necessity.”
The partial lifting is conditional on continued adherence to the agreed rehabilitation plan and other mitigation measures, said Ang and EMB7 advised local officials for continued monitoring and further compliance checks as the facility completes stabilization and site restoration work.
EMB 7 issued an amendment, on March 31, 2026 to the project’s ECC allowing additional engineered components to strengthen the facility’s operational safety. These include the development of a new cell at the toe of the landfill (approximately 14,000 square meters with a capacity of 90,524 metric tons) and an interim cell (2,746 square meters with a capacity of 19,470.83 metric tons), among other enhancements.
The EMB also recognized the certification issued by the Local Government of Cebu, expressing its consent to the proposed operational modifications and rehabilitation strategies necessary for the facility’s recommissioning. This was further supported by the Sanggunian Bayan through Resolution No. 17-2624-2026.
It may be recalled that on February 23, 2026 the local council formally sought the assistance of DENR Region 7 to expedite the compliance of Prime Integrated Waste Management Inc. with rehabilitation requirements, enabling the safe resumption of operations under stricter environmental and safety protocols.
“This Office remains committed to closely monitoring the facility—particularly in terms of waste inputs and outputs. We conduct regular site inspections to ensure that stabilization measures meet required standards and that leachate is properly managed,” Ang assured the public that strict monitoring remains in place.
He further emphasized the importance of
multi-sectoral oversight and that his office continues to engage other
stakeholders, including local government units and non-government organizations
to actively participate in monitoring activities and help ensure full
compliance and safety in all operations. (Photos: Google Images/Manila Standard)
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