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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Green groups call for probe of Rizal mega landfill after deadly Cebu, Montalban incidents

Green groups call for probe of Rizal mega landfill after deadly Cebu, Montalban incidents

Published Mar 21, 2026 10:53 am  |  Updated Mar 21, 2026 01:56 pm
(PHOTO: PIXABAY)
(PHOTO: PIXABAY)
Alarmed by recent fatal landfill incidents in Binaliw, Cebu and Montalban, Rizal, two environmental groups urged the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the San Mateo, Rizal local government to probe the operations of another mega landfill in the province.
In a joint statement, the Buklod Tao, Inc. and the EcoWaste Coalition called on the environment department and the municipal government of San Mateo to launch an independent and transparent probe on the New San Mateo Landfill’s possible non-compliance with the terms and commitments outlined in its Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC).
Buklod Tao, Inc. urged San Mateo Mayor Bartolome Rivera Jr., through a formal letter, to initiate an inquiry after reports indicated that the landfill had expanded beyond its approved 401,478-square-meter footprint.
The group stressed that any expansion must undergo the required Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and secure approval from concerned agencies, including the DENR-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB).
The letter dated March 10, 2026 was signed by Buklod Tao president Fe Doromal and founder Noli Abinales. 

Also, Buklod Tao, Inc. relayed complaints from nearby residents, citing the persistent foul smell, rise in flies and other pests, and the possible seepage of leachate into streams and water sources, as landfill operations reportedly move closer to communities.

Supporting Buklod Tao, the EcoWaste Coalition called for an independent inspection of the landfill’s current area of operations and a probe into its compliance with ECC conditions.
It also pushed for the public disclosure of findings to address community concerns and for the strengthening of the municipality’s ecological solid waste management program in accordance with national policy.

The groups reminded that Republic Act No. 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, prioritizes waste prevention, volume and toxicity reduction, segregation at source, and recycling and composting over landfill disposal.
Buklod Tao, Inc. added that practical, community-based solutions are already available.
Citing over three decades of experience, the group said it continues to champion household and community-level composting systems as practical solutions to cut methane emissions and lessen landfill dependence.
In its letter, Buklod Tao, Inc. assured Mayor Rivera of its readiness to work with the municipal government through dialogue and collaboration to protect both public health and the environment.
The EcoWaste Coalition and Buklod Tao, Inc. also strongly opposed reported plans to put up a Waste-to-Energy (WtE) incineration plant in Montalban or San Mateo, warning that it could bring added health and environmental hazards and derail the transition to people-centered zero waste approaches.

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Green groups probe Rizal mega landfill DENR SAN MATEO
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