DENR says air is improving after a landfill fire, but water quality remains a concern, prompting legal review of the operator.
Last Sunday, 10 May, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) declared the Navotas Sanitary Landfill (NSLF) ‘fire out,’ following the final inspection of the officials from the national and local government of Navotas City on Monday morning to ensure the site remains stable.. After the smoke visibly subsided across the 144-hectare facility, making the whole environment hazardous and unhealthy for the people living near the site, the flames have now been reported fully extinguished and
are now shifting to stricter environmental maintenance.. .Fire out at Navotas landfill, agencies inspect site.. Regardless of the improvements, the Acting Environment Secretary Mitch Cuna said that while the air quality is improving, the water quality remains an issue for the government, leading to legal repercussions for the landfill’s operator.. Cuna added that the sampling results were not good, as they issued a notice of violation of the Clean Water Act, and the environmental department,
as well as the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), are now reviewing the landfill operator’s liabilities.. The Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon said that there’s a possibility of catching another fire if the site is neglected, as methane gas is still present beneath the surface.. Meanwhile, the SMAI or San Miguel Corporation President Ramon Ang, who acquired the 28.6-hectare of NSLF from the Philippine Ecology Systems Corp (PhilEco), had given
heavy equipment, fuel, and soil free of charge to expedite the fire suppression.. Japanese ambassador Endo Kazuya and the International Corporation Agency from Japan provided technical expertise for assistance.. .Extinguishing Navotas fire a priority, accountability to follow — LGU
Navotas landfill fire, NSLF water quality, DENR Mitch Cuna, Clean Water Act violation, methane gas risk, legal review OSG