Search crews from the Philippine National Search and Rescue Team arrived on the scene at the landfill in Central Luzon within hours of the collapse, reporting that dozens of workers were trapped beneath the debris of the rubble pile that formed the so‑called “mountain of rubbish.” _2_ The operation involved strategically placing hydraulic cutters and shovels to dislodge the compacted waste, while on‑site engineers assessed the structural stability of the remaining mound to prevent secondary collapse. Rescue efforts were coordinated with local authorities and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, who provided additional air support and protective gear for ground teams. The response plan, issued under the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Law, aimed to reduce potential spillover hazards and secure vulnerable zones before full recovery could commence. The incident is the latest example of the cumulative risks associated with informal solid waste management sites throughout the country, _3_ and it underscores the need for stricter enforcement of waste disposal regulations and ongoing monitoring of landfill sites in both urban and rural zones. Continuous updates from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council indicated that, as of the latest check, all trapped personnel had been safely extricated, with the remaining operations focused on site stabilization and long‑term site rehabilitation to avert similar collapses in the future.