Tovic Salvador

Rizal gov't seeks probe into landfill trash slide in Rodriguez

Article (news)

Eon Sanchez

ABS-CBN News

<p>The provincial government of Rizal has called for an investigation into a reported trash slide at a sanitary landfill in Rodriguez, where dozens were earlier <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/2/22/tinatayang-50-katao-nawawala-sa-pagguho-ng-landfill-sa-rodriguez-rizal-kadamay-1208">feared missing</a>.</p><p>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.</p><p>The group said the collapse happened around 2 p.m. and affected people working at the site, including waste collectors.</p><p>Based on accounts gathered from families, KADAMAY estimated that about <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/2/22/50-feared-missing-after-reported-landfill-collapse-in-rodriguez-rizal-1346">50 individuals were missing,</a> noting that the figure was based on accounts from residents awaiting updates on relatives.</p><p>KADAMAY urged authorities to intensify response efforts and pressed for an independent investigation into the incident. </p><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display:flex;max-width:550px;width:100%;margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" title="X Post" 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style="position:static;visibility:visible;width:550px;height:873px;display:block;flex-grow:1" data-tweet-id="2025624148551381115"></iframe></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charSet="utf-8"></script><div><strong>PROVINCE CLARIFIES WHO OWNS LANDFILL</strong></div><p>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.</p><p>“Nais nating liwanagin na bagama&#x27;t taglay nito ang pangalan ng lalawigan, ang nasabing sanitary landfill ay hindi po pagmamay-ari at hindi pinangangasiwaan ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Rizal,” Ynares said.</p><p>“Ang operasyon at pamamahala nito ay nasa ilalim ng isang pribadong kompanya,” she added.</p><p>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.</p><p>Ynares said the provincial government is seeking a thorough, prompt, and transparent investigation to establish the facts, determine accountability, and prevent similar incidents.</p><p>“Ang kaligtasan ng mamamayan at pananagutan sa batas ay nananatiling pangunahing adhikain po ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan,” she added.</p><div><strong>REQUEST FOR FORMAL PROBE</strong></div><p>In a February 20 letter addressed to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Ynares requested an immediate probe into the alleged collapse within the landfill facility.</p><p>The governor asked authorities to determine possible environmental and public safety impacts—including any reported injuries, missing persons, or loss of life—and to require the private operator to implement remedial measures to prevent further risks to nearby communities and the environment.</p><p>The provincial government stated it is awaiting the results of the investigation as families and advocacy groups continue to seek updates on those reported missing.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nchXyud4KAs?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The provincial government of Rizal has called for an investigation into a reported trash slide at a sanitary landfill in Rodriguez, where dozens were earlier <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/2/22/tinatayang-50-katao-nawawala-sa-pagguho-ng-landfill-sa-rodriguez-rizal-kadamay-1208">feared missing</a>.</p>

The provincial government of Rizal has called for an investigation into a reported trash slide at a sanitary landfill in Rodriguez, where dozens were earlier feared missing .