The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has ordered the closure of a landfill in Rodriguez, Rizal following a trash slide that killed at least one person.
Through its Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), the agency issued a cease-and-desist order against Green Leap Solid Waste Management, Inc. for its sanitary landfill in Sitio Lukutan Munti, Barangay San Isidro.
“The CDO covers the Phase 5 of the SLF covering approximately 6 hectares,” DENR-EMB said in a statement.
The February 20 incident saw about 420,000 cubic meters of waste erode from the active tipping area. Inspectors later found lapses in operations, foul odors from exposed waste, erosion, and cracks that could trigger further collapse.
“Multiple violations of conditions in the proponent’s Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) were also documented,” the agency added.
DENR-EMB CALABARZON ordered the immediate halt of Phase 5 operations, except for emergency and remedial work such as retrieval, slope stabilization, and debris clearing. A strict “no-entry” policy was also enforced.
“Our priority is to ensure the immediate stabilization of the site to prevent further environmental degradation and to hold the proponent strictly accountable for these operational lapses. We will not tolerate negligence that puts the environment and public safety at risk,” said Nilo Tamoria.
Green Leap was directed to transfer its active tipping area, submit a detailed report within five days, and present corrective measures at a technical conference on February 25.
“Failure to attend will be considered a waiver of the right to be heard, prompting DENR-EMB to proceed with appropriate legal action based on available evidence,” the agency warned.