CEBU CITY – A garbage collector was killed and another injured in a landslide at the Inayawan Sanitary Landfill on January 8, 2026 (Wednesday afternoon). The victim, identified as Rodelio “Rodel” Cabatingan, 42, was buried under tons of waste while scavenging when the slope collapsed around 3 p.m.
His companion, Junrey “Jun” Lumasag, 38, sustained fractures and was rushed to a nearby hospital in stable condition. Rescue operations by the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) and local volunteers lasted several hours.
The Inayawan landfill—closed since 2016 but still used informally by scavengers—has long been flagged for instability due to overloading and poor maintenance. City officials vowed immediate inspections and stricter access controls.
The incident adds to safety concerns at former dump sites nationwide.
Incident Snapshot:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | January 8, 2026 (afternoon) |
| Location | Inayawan Sanitary Landfill, Cebu City |
| Casualties | 1 dead (Rodelio Cabatingan, 42), 1 injured |
| Cause | Landslide (waste slope collapse) |
| Response | CDRRMO rescue; hospital transfer |
Condolences to the family—stay safe, waste workers.