JICA technical aid speeds up Navotas landfill fire control
By Trixee Rosel
(Photo courtesy of Navotas City Mayor John Rey Tiangco / Facebook)
Containment operations at the Navotas sanitary landfill are gaining pace as the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) intensifies on-site technical guidance, streamlining field execution and heavy equipment use to strengthen fire control and reduce hazardous smoke.
On Monday, April 27, JICA conducted on-site demonstrations for heavy equipment operators, followed by briefings to standardize procedures and improve the efficiency of soil covering and fire suppression.
The Navotas City government sustained full-scale operations over the weekend, with simultaneous compaction and soil covering carried out across three active sections to expand control over affected areas.
To further bolster response efforts, five additional bulldozers and four payloaders were deployed on April 26.
Continuous delivery of soil materials also remains underway to isolate remaining hotspot zones.
City government said the coordinated multi-agency response is aimed at hastening containment as smoke continues to emanate from the landfill.
Residents are advised to wear face masks and limit outdoor exposure as operations continue and conditions at the landfill remain under close monitoring.