Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Francis Orcio

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — A massive fire at a landfill facility in Navotas remained ongoing Monday, three days after it broke out on April 10, according to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).While the blaze at the roughly 40-hectare waste disposal site is already under control and has not spread to nearby residential areas, authorities said the thick smoke billowing from the site has significantly worsened air quality across parts of Metro Manila.BFP spokesperson Fire Superintendent Anthony Arroyo said the fire has been difficult to extinguish because of the landfill’s layered waste deposits, with flames likely burning deep beneath the surface.He added that decomposing garbage generates methane gas, which can further ignite the fire and trigger rekindling.&quot;May tendency talaga ito na mag-rekindle. At alam naman natin na iyong spontaneous combustion na ’yan dahil mainit na rin iyong ilalim,” Arroyo explained.&quot;Iyong spontaneous combustion na ’yan ay iyong mga organic waste, talagang normal na nag-ge-generate ng methane gas. Talagang nagpapaliyab ng husto,” he added.Arroyo said the fire started at around 8 p.m. Friday.The BFP acknowledged that firefighting operations have been hampered by the scale and location of the incident, noting that the landfill is situated on an island and inaccessible by fire trucks through regular land routes. Fire apparatus must instead be transported via barge or shipping vessel.Operations were temporarily suspended Sunday night due to strong winds.&quot;Ito po ay malaki ano, 41 hectares facility, remote at isla. Hindi siya kayang mapuntahan ng fire trucks, kung hindi sa pamamagitan lamang ng ferry. Hindi siya accessible,” Arroyo said.Authorities are also deploying bulldozers and other heavy equipment to cover burning waste with soil or sand in an effort to suffocate the flames through “blanketing” or “smothering,” depriving the fire of oxygen.&quot;Tuluy-tuloy ang ginagawang misting o cooling sa area. At hinahalukay ng mga heavy equipment, iyong kahit usok lang, para totally ay magkaroon ng cooling effect,” Arroyo said.&quot;May mga ilang area na nagkakaroon ng apoy. Pero nakatutok pa rin po iyong mahigit 50 BFP personnel,” he added.Firefighters expect suppression efforts to continue until at least Wednesday, as crews persist in burying hot spots and excavating deeper waste layers believed to still be fueling the blaze.Meanwhile, Navotas Mayor John Rey Tiangco clarified that the burning landfill is privately owned.He said the facility had already been shut down in August 2025 after its operations were halted and its franchise was not renewed.However, Tiangco said the former operator has yet to submit a closure plan and had allegedly abandoned the site.&quot;Nagpatawag tayo ng meeting kasi nga hindi pa naipapasa iyong closure plan [ng pribadong kumpanya]. Tuluy-tuloy po ’yan, nag-fo-follow up po tayo kasama iyong DENR,” Tiangco said in a DZMM interview.&quot;Hanggang nitong February (2026), biglang umalis na lang po sila. In-abandoned iyong area. Kaya, nagpatawag ulit kami ng emergency meeting kasama iyong DENR,” he added.<div>POOR AIR QUALITY</div>Smoke from the fire has also led to deteriorating air quality in parts of Metro Manila, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Environmental Management Bureau.As of 4 p.m. Monday, Quezon City recorded the worst air quality reading with an Air Quality Index of 174, followed by Malabon at 115 and Navotas at 105, all areas near the burning landfill.The Department of Health (DOH) warned that the fine particulate matter known as PM2.5 poses serious health risks when inhaled.&quot;Ang kalaban natin kapag ganitong sitwasyon iyong tinatawag na particulate matter 2.5. PM2.5, ’yan po ang termino. Ibig sabihin, napakaliit na alikabok po niya, 2.5 microns, at ayaw nating makapasok iyon sa ating baga,” DOH spokesperson Undersecretary Albert Domingo said.&quot;Dahil kapag nakapasok iyon, pwedeng maging sanhi ng irritation, lalo na doon sa ating kapamilyang may hika, o kaya iritable iyong kanilang respiratory system, at iyong mga matatanda na may emphysema,” he added.Health officials advised residents living near the landfill to seal gaps in their homes with wet cloth, temporarily evacuate if possible, and use air filters or air-conditioning units indoors.Those who need to go outside are urged to wear KN95 or N95 masks, as regular face masks may not adequately block the fine airborne particles.

A massive fire at a landfill facility in Navotas remained ongoing Monday, three days after it broke out on Friday night, April 10, according to the Bureau of Fire Protection.

A massive fire at a landfill facility in Navotas remained ongoing Monday, three days after it broke out on Friday night, April 10, according to the Bureau of Fire Protection.

Navotas landfill fire enters third day as smoke worsens Metro Manila air quality

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Navotas landfill fire enters third day as smoke worsens Metro Manila air quality

Francis Orcio,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 13, 2026 08:29 PM PHT

Read More:

Navotas

landfill

fire

air quality

DENR

BFP

Bureau of Fire Protection

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