By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz
MANILA – The Metro Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MMDRRMC) on Wednesday reported that the fire at the Navotas Sanitary Landfill (NSLF) is 79.6 percent contained.
In a press conference at the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) headquarters in Pasig City, MMDA chief and concurrent MMDRRMC head Don Artes said the council is focused on the situation on the ground, ongoing actions, and the equipment needed to address the fire.
“Moving forward, the incident will serve as a learning experience to improve preparedness and response capabilities,” Artes said.
In addition, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ordered Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. to seek technical assistance from expert teams in Japan and the United States.
Both foreign partners have since responded and committed to providing continued support for the needs of Navotas.
On the other hand, Navotas City Mayor John Rey Tiangco said the air quality index in Metro Manila remains within acceptable or normal levels despite the fire, based on data from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
“Additionally, we are utilizing a drone with thermal imaging capability to assess the possibility of ignition within the 44-hectare site,” Tiangco said.
He said the closure and rehabilitation plan for the landfill has not been implemented by the operator, which constitutes a violation of its Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC).
The fire at the NSLF continues to be managed by the NSLF Task Group led by the local government of Navotas and involves fire suppression operations through soil covering, smothering, and misting.
The fire began on April 10 and is actively managed by several government agencies, including the MMDA, DND, Office of Civil Defense, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Transportation, and the DENR-Environmental Management Bureau. (PNA)
