CEBU CITY — Mayor Nestor D. Archival met with barangay officials on July 24, 2026 to finalize a new garbage collection scheme that begins next week. The temporary system hauls trash directly from neighborhoods to the landfill, eliminating the South Road Properties transfer station.
A Direct Route from Barangay to Landfill
Under the revised plan, garbage trucks will collect waste from designated barangay staging areas and transport it straight to the regional landfill in Aloguinsan. The private hauler Pinoy Basurero Corporation will deploy approximately 50 heavy trucks nightly, starting around 10 PM. This eliminates the extra step of dumping at an intermediate site.
The shift aims to speed up collection and reduce the unsightly buildup of trash in public areas. By bypassing transfer stations, the city expects a cleaner, more efficient flow of solid waste. Barangays will coordinate daytime collection and bagging to ensure smooth loading during the night‑time haul.
Closing a Controversial Chapter
The SRP transfer station had been operating without an Environmental Compliance Certificate, drawing complaints over foul odors and environmental risks. In June, the Environmental Management Bureau issued a cease‑and‑desist order, forcing the city to find an alternative. Mayor Archival described the closure as a necessary step toward compliance and public health.
The move also puts a difficult chapter behind Cebu City, which lost its primary landfill in Binaliw after a tragic trash slide in January. That disaster claimed 36 lives and triggered a solid waste emergency. Today, the city is determined to rebuild its waste system with safety and sustainability at the core.
Investing in a Greener Future
The city’s long‑haul solution is temporary. To reduce dependence on distant landfills, Cebu City is expanding diversion efforts. The SRP Eco‑Station, opened in June, already converts 15 to 20 tons of organic and recyclable waste per day into compost and reusable materials. A ₱360‑million waste‑to‑energy facility is also in the pipeline.
Strict household segregation rules are being enforced across all urban barangays. These measures aim to cut landfill waste by at least 30 percent. The city government views the current crisis as an opportunity to build a cleaner, more resilient Cebu, with every barangay playing a vital role.
