CEBU CITY — PWS Cebu has reaffirmed its commitment to accountability, transparency, and community welfare as retrieval and safety operations continue following the January 8 incident at its Binaliw waste management facility.
In a statement, the company expressed deep sympathy for the families and loved ones affected, describing the incident as a profound loss for the community. PWS Cebu said its Emergency Response Team was activated immediately and has since been working closely with the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, the Bureau of Fire Protection, national response agencies, and private-sector partners to ensure a coordinated and safe recovery effort.
Initial assessments by city officials and technical experts indicate that a combination of natural factors may have contributed to the incident, including the magnitude 6.9 earthquake in September 2025, subsequent aftershocks, and intense rainfall brought by Typhoon Tino in early November. PWS Cebu said it is fully cooperating with authorities and independent experts to establish a comprehensive and evidence-based understanding of what transpired.
The company noted that it conducts regular inspections of its landfill cells and that prior to the incident, the affected area showed no visible signs of instability, such as cracks or irregular leachate discharge. Operations at the Binaliw facility remain suspended as retrieval, safety, and assessment efforts continue.
PWS Cebu emphasized that the incident was contained within the facility’s footprint and did not affect surrounding communities. As part of its immediate response, the company has provided financial assistance and psychosocial support to the families of affected employees, covered medical expenses for the injured, and shouldered funeral and burial costs.
In compliance with the cease-and-desist order issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, PWS Cebu is implementing critical site measures, including clearing structures for safe debris removal, rehabilitating the affected landfill cell, and capping and closing the impacted area.
Since acquiring the Binaliw facility in 2023, PWS Cebu said it has invested in upgrading the site into a more advanced materials recovery facility, improving waste sorting, recycling, and leachate management systems. While acknowledging the gravity of the incident, the company reiterated its commitment to recovery, accountability, and responsible waste management.| – BNN Integrated News
