Approximately 170 families who sought refuge in Obando, Bulacan have returned to their homes following the containment of a massive landfill fire in Navotas, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) confirmed Monday.
Monitoring stations in Navotas, Caloocan, Meycauayan, and Obando reported that air quality has shifted back to “fair” or “good” levels. The fire, which ignited on April 10, was finally extinguished on May 10, allowing the Office of Civil Defense to facilitate the return of the evacuees by May 4.
DENR Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna expressed confidence in the current environmental status:
“The air is clearing, the danger is receding, and the science shows that our communities are safer today than they were at the height of the incident.”
Despite the stabilization, the DENR is pursuing aggressive legal action against the operator, Philippine Ecology Systems Corp. (PHILECO). The agency issued Notices of Violation for multiple infractions, including the lack of a Safe Closure Plan and unauthorized discharges. Case build-up is currently underway with the Office of the Solicitor General.
Attributing the fire to methane buildup from unsegregated waste, Secretary Cuna emphasized the need for a total overhaul of waste management standards:
“We must stop confusing open dumps with properly managed SLFs. Modern waste management means well-run and rehabilitated sanitary landfills, enhanced by enclosed, modern resource-recovery systems.”