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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Tulfo: DENR's EMB should be held accountable in Cebu landfill collapse

Tulfo: DENR's EMB should be held accountable in Cebu landfill collapse

Published Jan 18, 2026 12:11 pm  |  Updated Jan 18, 2026 01:20 pm

At A Glance

  • Sen. Erwin Tulfo said it is imperative to hold accountable the agencies involved in the incident, particularly the Environment Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), due to an alleged lack of strict oversight in the landfill's operations.

Senator Erwin Tulfo has joined calls to hold the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) accountable over the lack of strict oversight in the landfill collapse in Barangay Binaliw, Cebu City.

Based on records from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the death toll has reached 36, while 18 others were injured in the incident that occurred on January 8. (END)

Tulfo, who visited the victims and families affected in the tragedy on Saturday, January 18, pointed this out after witnessing the extent of the damage caused by the collapsed mountain of garbage that buried the building used as an office and bunkhouse for employees of the private landfill.

The senator said it is imperative to hold accountable the agencies involved in the incident, particularly the Environment Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), due to an alleged lack of strict oversight in the landfill’s operations.

“I cannot understand why the EMB of the DENR allowed the construction of a building at the foot of a mountain of garbage,” Tulfo said when he spoke with the bereaved families.

The senator noted the location was clearly dangerous and had long posed a risk of collapse. He the concerned agencies properly performed their duties, the tragedy could have been prevented.

“If they had only done what they were supposed to do, these people would likely still be alive today,” he said.

Tulfo, chairman of the Senate Committee on Social Justice and Rural Development, assured he will push for a Senate probe to determine accountability and ensure that similar tragedies do not happen again.

He also ensured that the families of those who died would receive assistance from the government.

“This is not only about providing aid today, but about accountability and protecting the lives of workers in the future,” the senator emphasized.

Tulfo also contacted the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to ensure broader government assistance for the victims, including burial assistance, medical support for the injured, and livelihood assistance for families who lost their source of income due to the catastrophe.

“Now is when the families of the victims need help the most. What happened is heartbreaking—they were simply working when tragedy struck,” the lawmaker lamented.

Related Tags

Erwin Tulfo landfill Cebu City DENR
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