Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon surveyed the burning Navotas Sanitary Landfill in Navotas City on Tuesday to assess efforts to control a persistent blaze.
International Technical Support and Government Coordination
Secretary Dizon was accompanied by a technical group from the Japan Disaster Relief Team, which includes technical support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The visit aimed to examine the ongoing operations to extinguish a fire that has lasted for 18 days.
Also present during the survey in Barangay Tanza 2 were Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuyo Endo, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna, and Navotas Mayor John Rey Tiangco.
Environmental Impact and Current Status
The survey group sought to determine how the Japanese team may assist the government in managing the crisis. The urgency is driven by persistent fumes from the facility, which continue to degrade air quality in Navotas and neighboring cities.
Reports indicate that 50 percent of the fire has already been set out. However, the scale of the affected area remains significant given the facility’s total size.
Potential Next Steps
Following the site examination, the government may integrate technical recommendations from the Japan Disaster Relief Team to accelerate the extinguishing process.
Further coordination between the DPWH, DENR, and JICA is likely to focus on mitigating the air quality issues affecting the surrounding region.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long has the Navotas Sanitary Landfill been on fire?
The blaze has been ongoing for 18 days.
What percentage of the fire has been extinguished?
According to reports, 50 percent of the fire has already been put out.
Who participated in the survey of the landfill?
The survey was led by DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon and included the Japan Disaster Relief Team (with JICA technical support), Japanese Ambassador Kazuyo Endo, DENR Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna, and Navotas Mayor John Rey Tiangco.
How should cities better prepare for the environmental risks associated with large-scale landfill fires?
