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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Metro Manila devider Navotas records 'good' air quality as landfill smoke persists

Navotas records 'good' air quality as landfill smoke persists

Published Apr 13, 2026 10:52 pm
A high vantage view shows white smoke rising from the closed Navotas Sanitary Landfill Facility amid underground smoldering on Monday, April 13. (Photo courtesy of Patrick Joshua C. Zacarias, Navotas City DRRMO)
A high vantage view shows white smoke rising from the closed Navotas Sanitary Landfill Facility amid underground smoldering on Monday, April 13. (Photo courtesy of Patrick Joshua C. Zacarias, Navotas City DRRMO)
Navotas City recorded a “good” air quality level on Monday, April 13, even as white smoke continued to rise from the closed Navotas Sanitary Landfill Facility due to persistent underground smoldering despite the absence of visible flames.
The Navotas City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) reported that the Air Quality Index (AQI) improved to 45 at 6 p.m. from 111 at noon.
Authorities said no open flames were observed at the landfill, but underground combustion continues to generate smoke, prompting ongoing mitigation measures including misting, trenching, and surface cooling.
Heavy equipment, including backhoes, was deployed to compact and stabilize waste materials in preparation for soil cover operations to seal the landfill and cut off oxygen supply, suppressing the smoldering fire.
The soil cover operation, which began on Monday, is aimed at fully extinguishing the remaining underground fire and preventing possible flare-ups.
An interagency task force led by the city government is overseeing response operations for the containment effort.
The task force includes the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine National Police Maritime Group, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and private partners.
Residents were advised to wear face masks when outdoors and to seek medical attention if they experience respiratory symptoms.
Barangays and the city health office have been mobilized to distribute face masks and disseminate health advisories.

Related Tags

METRONEWS Navotas City landfill fire air quality smoke emission underground smoldering
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