THE local government has called for an investigation into a reported landslide at a sanitary landfill in Rodriguez, Rizal.
Authorities reported that they have recovered one body from the site while 2 remain missing.
The incident occurred on February 20 after a portion of the landfill in Sitio 1B, Harangan, Barangay San Isidro collapsed, according to residents and the urban poor group KADAMAY.
The group said the collapse happened around 2 p.m. and affected people working at the site, including waste collectors.
Based on accounts gathered from families, KADAMAY estimated that about 50 individuals were missing, noting that the figure was based on reports from residents awaiting updates on their relatives.
KADAMAY urged authorities to intensify response efforts and pressed for an independent investigation into the incident.
In a statement dated February 22, Governor Nina Ricci Ynares clarified that the sanitary landfill, despite carrying the province’s name, is privately owned and operated.
“We want to clarify that although it bears the name of the province, the sanitary landfill is not owned and is not managed by the Provincial Government of Rizal,” Ynares said.
The governor said reports of individuals allegedly buried in the incident have reached provincial authorities, stressing that every life is important and that the government does not tolerate actions that undermine citizens’ dignity and rights.
Ynares said the provincial government is seeking a thorough, prompt, and transparent investigation to establish the facts, determine accountability, and prevent similar incidents.
The victim was among three individuals initially reported missing following the landfill collapse.
“Of the three reported missing, one has been retrieved and the body has been turned over to the family,” Evangelista told GMA Integrated News’ Unang Balita in an interview.
Three days after the incident, operations at the landfill in Rodriguez have fully shifted to recovery mode, Evangelista said.
He noted that retrieval efforts have been difficult due to the massive volume of compacted waste at the site.
He added that initial findings showed the trash slide occurred during compaction activities in one section of the landfill.
Several bulldozers were reportedly operating in the same area, and the combined weight of the heavy equipment may have triggered the collapse.
Evangelista pointed out that the incident was not caused by heavy rains but was “more of an accident.”
The operators of the bulldozers involved are now recuperating after sustaining minor injuries.
According to the mayor, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is leading the investigation to determine if there were any lapses on the part of the landfill’s operators.
The affected Phase 5 of the landfill has been closed, while other sections of the facility continue to operate to ensure unhampered garbage collection in communities, he added.
