DAVAO CITY — A tragic landfill collapse triggered by continuous heavy rains left one person dead, two injured, and two elderly women still missing as search and retrieval operations continued Thursday, May 21, at the sanitary landfill in Barangay New Carmen, Tugbok District, Davao City.
Authorities said the incident happened at around 1:15 to 1:17 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20, when a huge portion of the garbage mound at the New Carmen Sanitary Landfill suddenly collapsed and buried nearby residential structures, including a house occupied by scavengers and residents living close to the dumpsite.
The fatality was identified as Cristel, a scavenger and resident of Purok 8, Barangay New Carmen. Reports varied on the victim’s age, with authorities identifying the victim as either 31 or 32 years old.
Two other individuals were injured in the incident, including a 16-year-old boy and an adult woman identified as Lilibeth. Both were rushed for medical treatment.
Meanwhile, authorities continue searching for two missing senior citizens identified as Luisa, 78, and Rosita, 67, who were believed trapped beneath the massive pile of garbage after the collapse.
The Davao City Police Office (DCPO), rescue teams, firefighters, and personnel from the city government have been conducting nonstop search and retrieval operations in the affected area.
City Information Officer Harvey Lanticse confirmed that the city government, in coordination with the DCPO, has launched an investigation into the incident.
Initial findings showed that the collapse was allegedly caused by water buildup underneath the landfill after days of continuous heavy rainfall that hit Davao City beginning May 18.
Authorities described the incident as a “mass wasting” event, where accumulated rainwater weakened the stability of the garbage mound, causing a large section to cave in.
Following the tragedy, police immediately cordoned off the road leading to Purok 8 and prohibited residents from returning to their homes due to fears of another collapse.
More than 100 families living near the landfill site were evacuated and temporarily sheltered at the barangay gymnasium and covered court as a precautionary measure.
Residents said they remain anxious as the unstable garbage mountain continues to threaten nearby communities.
In a statement released Thursday, DCPO City Director PCOL Peter Madria extended sympathy to the victims’ families and assured the public that authorities are doing everything possible to ensure community safety.
“The Davao City Police Office extends its heartfelt sympathy to the families affected by this unfortunate incident. We assure the public that all responding units and partner agencies are continuously working together to conduct search and retrieval operations and to ensure the safety of the community,” Madria said.
He also urged residents to remain calm, cooperate with authorities, and strictly observe safety measures, particularly in areas vulnerable to landslides and flooding during periods of heavy rainfall.
Environmental group Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS) also expressed concern over the incident, saying the tragedy exposed deeper issues surrounding waste management and the plight of informal waste workers.
In a statement, IDIS Executive Director Atty. Mark Peñalver said the collapse reflected the growing challenges posed by the increasing volume of waste being disposed of daily in landfills.
“The tragedy highlights the importance of a strong integrated waste management system that prioritizes waste reduction, segregation at source, recycling, composting, and responsible disposal to prevent similar incidents from happening again,” Peñalver said.
The group also emphasized the dangerous conditions faced by waste pickers working in the informal waste sector.
“Waste pickers and other informal workers play a significant role in waste recovery and recycling. However, many continue to work under unsafe and vulnerable conditions,” the group stated.
IDIS added that waste management should not only be treated as an environmental concern but also as an issue involving public safety, human dignity, and social justice.
As of Thursday afternoon, retrieval operations remained ongoing amid unstable ground conditions and fears of further movement within the landfill area.