The Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Environmental Management Bureau Region 11 (DENR-EMB 11) has ordered the permanent closure of the old Davao City Sanitary Landfill in Barangay New Carmen, Tugbok District, following the expiration of a temporary waste disposal extension and earlier environmental violations linked to a fatal trash slide incident.
In its directive, DENR-EMB 11 ordered the “permanent cessation of all dumping operations” at the existing landfill site and required the local government unit (LGU) of Davao City to comply with post-closure requirements, including the submission of a Safe Closure and Rehabilitation Plan within 30 days as part of the formal shutdown and rehabilitation process.
DENR stated that, to prevent disruptions in waste management and avoid public health risks, garbage disposal operations have been transferred to a newly prepared interim cell within the city’s new sanitary landfill facility.
The closure order stems from the May 20, 2026 trash slide incident in Barangay New Carmen, which resulted in two fatalities, one missing person, and two injuries. The incident prompted an immediate suspension order on May 21, 2026, due to violations of Republic Act No. 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, and DENR Administrative Order No. 10, including violations of Section 5.2 and Rule XIV governing sanitary landfill operations.
Following the suspension, the city government of Davao was granted a temporary resumption period until June 16, 2026.
However, on June 17, 2026, DENR-EMB 11 Regional Director EnP Alnulfo M. Alvarez and DENR Regional Executive Director Atty. Ma. Mercedes Dumagan signed the final order formally stopping operations at the old site, except for essential mitigation and rehabilitation activities.
The new interim cell, which became fully operational on June 18, 2026, is now receiving the city’s waste to ensure the continuity of sanitation services.
DENR-EMB 11 emphasized that the submission of the Safe Closure and Rehabilitation Plan within 30 days is a critical requirement to ensure proper environmental restoration and the long-term safety of the affected area.
The agency further stated that the old landfill will undergo strict closure and rehabilitation procedures, with continued monitoring of LGU compliance to safeguard public health and environmental sustainability.
DENR said the transition marks a crucial step in addressing environmental risks while maintaining uninterrupted waste management services for Davao City residents.
