One month after a major blaze at the Navotas Sanitary Landfill triggered health concerns across the capital, air quality in Metro Manila has officially returned to safe levels.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) reported on Sunday, May 10, that all monitored areas in the metropolis recorded “good” air quality for fine particulate matter (PM2.5).
According to AQI readings as of noon, Valenzuela and Malabon registered the highest figures at 46 and 44, respectively—both still within the 0 to 50 “good” threshold, which signifies minimal to no health risk.
This marks a stark recovery from the aftermath of the April 10 fire. By April 19, the landfill’s smoke emissions had pushed most of Metro Manila into “unhealthy” and “acutely unhealthy” categories.
“AQI readings ranging from 0 to 50 are classified as ‘good,’ indicating minimal or no health risk to the general public,” the agency stated.
As the air clears, the government is shifting its focus toward accountability.
Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna confirmed that the agency is collaborating with the Office of the Solicitor General to determine legal actions regarding the landfill’s operations.