Workers’ groups and environmental defenders condemned the negligence and unsafe working conditions at the Binaliw Landfill in Cebu City on January 8. An estimated 20-storey-high mountain of garbage collapsed and buried the buildings at its base. The landfill is operated by Prime Integrated Waste Solutions Inc. (PIWSI), owned by comprador bourgeois Enrique Razon Jr..

When the garbage mountain collapsed, buildings at its base had 110 workers, 36 of whom were killed and 18 were injured.

PIWSI and Razon are directly responsible for the tragedy because of their deliberate disregard for occupational safety and health standards in pursuit of profit and savings. Barangay Binaliw residents have long complained about the landfill’s foul odor emissions and destruction to the surrounding hills and rivers.