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Duterte Slams DENR Over Landfill Shutdown As Davao Faces Mounting Garbage Problem
Photo credit: PDP Laban
Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte has criticized the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) following the closure of the New Carmen Sanitary Landfill, warning that the move is causing delays in garbage collection and could eventually lead to a public health concern.
In a statement released Thursday, Duterte said waste collection operations across the city have been affected after the landfill was ordered closed by the DENR under the leadership of acting secretary Juan Miguel Cuna.
The mayor argued that the longer the landfill remains shut down, the greater the risk of sanitation issues for residents. He stressed that the problem is not the waste itself, but what he described as the agency's failure to act with practical judgment in addressing the situation.
Duterte pointed out that residents living near the landfill have already been evacuated, saying the immediate threat to human safety has been addressed. According to him, corrective measures could still be carried out while allowing landfill operations to continue.
Instead, he said, the DENR opted to suspend the facility's operations entirely without giving local officials a clear timetable for when it can reopen.
Amid the disruption, the city government has identified additional waste collection points to help manage the growing volume of garbage. Duterte even noted that one of the designated areas is located in front of the DENR Region XI office, saying the agency should see firsthand the amount of trash that accumulates when a vital public service is halted indefinitely.
The mayor maintained that the city is complying with all regulatory requirements but appealed for decisions to be guided not only by rules but also by practical realities on the ground.
Duterte emphasized that the issue affects roughly 750 tons of waste generated daily and nearly two million Dabawenyos who depend on uninterrupted garbage collection services.
The standoff between the city government and the DENR comes as officials work to address the operational concerns surrounding the landfill while ensuring waste management services continue for residents across Davao City.
In a statement released Thursday, Duterte said waste collection operations across the city have been affected after the landfill was ordered closed by the DENR under the leadership of acting secretary Juan Miguel Cuna.
The mayor argued that the longer the landfill remains shut down, the greater the risk of sanitation issues for residents. He stressed that the problem is not the waste itself, but what he described as the agency's failure to act with practical judgment in addressing the situation.
Duterte pointed out that residents living near the landfill have already been evacuated, saying the immediate threat to human safety has been addressed. According to him, corrective measures could still be carried out while allowing landfill operations to continue.
Instead, he said, the DENR opted to suspend the facility's operations entirely without giving local officials a clear timetable for when it can reopen.
Amid the disruption, the city government has identified additional waste collection points to help manage the growing volume of garbage. Duterte even noted that one of the designated areas is located in front of the DENR Region XI office, saying the agency should see firsthand the amount of trash that accumulates when a vital public service is halted indefinitely.
The mayor maintained that the city is complying with all regulatory requirements but appealed for decisions to be guided not only by rules but also by practical realities on the ground.
Duterte emphasized that the issue affects roughly 750 tons of waste generated daily and nearly two million Dabawenyos who depend on uninterrupted garbage collection services.
The standoff between the city government and the DENR comes as officials work to address the operational concerns surrounding the landfill while ensuring waste management services continue for residents across Davao City.
Jun 5, 2026
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