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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Metro Manila devider Navotas landfill fire blamed on closure lapses

Navotas landfill fire blamed on closure lapses

Published Apr 14, 2026 02:27 pm
Navotas City Mayor John Rey Tiangco gives an update at the closed Navotas Sanitary Landfill as authorities continue sand burial operations to contain the underground fire. (Screengrab from Tiangco’s Facebook Live)
Navotas City Mayor John Rey Tiangco gives an update at the closed Navotas Sanitary Landfill as authorities continue sand burial operations to contain the underground fire. (Screengrab from Tiangco’s Facebook Live)
Lapses in the closure and rehabilitation of the Navotas Sanitary Landfill have been blamed for the underground fire that continues to smolder at the site, where authorities on Tuesday, April 14, intensified sand burial operations to contain the incident.
Navotas City Mayor John Rey Tiangco said the privately operated landfill had long ceased operations but residual waste and inadequate closure measures led to the underground fire in the over 40-hectare site.
“The closure and rehabilitation plan was not implemented, and there was a shortage in covering the landfill because of the large volume of waste and plastics,” Tiangco said.
A multi-agency task force composed of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Camanava Fire, Philippine Air Force, and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has been deployed since Saturday to contain the fire.
Tiangco said the fire is underground, with trapped heat and decomposing waste producing smoke, requiring sand and soil to cut off oxygen and suppress the smoldering areas.
Responders are using barges to deliver sand to affected portions of the landfill, but low tide conditions are slowing deployment while heavy equipment continues containment work on the ground.
He said smoke continues to spread to surrounding areas due to wind conditions despite the site being uninhabited, prompting continued air quality monitoring and precautionary measures.
Tiangco added that responders are isolating affected zones to limit oxygen exposure and prevent re-ignition, as efforts continue to fully suppress the fire and secure long-term sealing of the site.

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METRONEWS Navotas landfill fire fire update John Rey Tiangco landfill closure lapses
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