Volunteer responder from Toledo City dies following Binaliw landfill operation

• A 50-year-old security guard who volunteered as a responder for the Binaliw landfill landslide has passed away due to an infected wound
• The victim developed severe blisters on his foot after wearing heavy boots during the search operations from January 10 to 13
• Medical reports confirmed that the volunteer died of septic shock aggravated by a pre-existing diabetic condition
• Cebu City officials have promised to coordinate with social welfare agencies to provide financial assistance to the bereaved family

While the city was still mourning the victims of the massive trash slide in Barangay Binaliw, another tragedy struck the community of rescuers. A brave volunteer, who spent days searching for survivors under the scorching sun and unstable piles of waste, has lost his own life—not from the landslide itself, but from a wound that turned deadly.

Councilor Dave Tumulak, Chairman of the Committee on Disaster, confirmed the passing of the responder on Tuesday. The volunteer was a security guard from a mining company in Toledo City, which had sent its own team to help with the rescue efforts in Cebu City. According to records, he was active at the site for four days, from January 10 to 13, 2026.

Read also

Young delivery rider rescued after jumping off bridge in Valenzuela City

It was a simple pair of boots that started the problem. “According to his daughter, he suffered blisters from wearing boots. He then didn’t feel well, then was admitted,” Tumulak shared. What seemed like a common injury for someone on their feet all day quickly escalated. The hospital later confirmed that the volunteer suffered from septic shock because the wound became severely infected.

Adding to the complication was the responder's health history. Tumulak noted that the volunteer had a pre-existing condition of diabetes, a disease known to make wound healing much slower and more dangerous. Despite medical efforts, he could no longer recover.

In response to the news, the local government has stepped up to help the family. “I already informed DSWD and the mayor of whatever assistance we can give,” Tumulak added.

Meanwhile, Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival announced that the focus at the landfill has now shifted. While they have officially terminated the search for victims, heavy work remains. “We need to clean the area, the debris,” said Tumulak, emphasizing that clearing operations are still in full swing to make the site safe again.

In a move to find long-term solutions to the city's mounting garbage problems, the mayor also sent a team of officials to Yokohama, Japan. They are set to undergo specialized training on Waste-to-Energy (WTE) technology to prevent such a disaster from happening ever again.

Read also

Man helping road accident victim, dies after getting hit by speeding truck

The tragic loss of the volunteer comes just as authorities were wrapping up the retrieval of victims from the initial landslide. Below are some of the previous reports regarding the Binaliw disaster that shook the province earlier this month.

A huge mountain of trash collapsed in Barangay Binaliw, Cebu City, on January 8, 2026, trapping several workers and residents nearby. Search and rescue teams immediately rushed to the scene as families waited in agony for news of their loved ones. The incident raised alarms over the safety and management of the city’s primary waste disposal site.

Days after the tragic collapse, the number of confirmed deaths continues to climb as rescuers dig through the thick layers of garbage. At least 12 survivors were treated for various injuries, but dozens remain unaccounted for under the debris. Local officials are under pressure to explain why the landfill was allowed to reach such dangerous heights before the landslide occurred.

Source: KAMI.com.gh