Navotas landfill fire containment efforts Intensify with DENR, partners

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), together with other concerned agencies, and Japan are set to ramp up efforts to contain the still-ongoing fire at the Navotas Sanitary Landfill.

"DENR, together with its partners, continues to intensify response efforts as firefighting operations persist, with additional heavy equipment deployed to accelerate containment," The DENR said in a statement.

DENR said that the current air quality in Valenzuela is currently above the national guideline value and advised groups to use face masks to protect themselves against pollutants

According to a Balitanghali report on Tuesday, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secretary Vince Dizon said that 50% of the fire in the 41-hectare landfill has been extinguished.He noted that 90% of the landfill was affected by the blaze.DPWH has yet to determine a lead time as to when the fire will be completely contained.Meanwhile, the DENR is looking into possible legal actions against the Navotas landfill operator.The operator said that they will be submitting a safe closure and rehabilitation plan for the area.They have also mandated other sanitary landfill operators to submit contingency plans for similar fire and emergency incidents.The fire at the Navotas Sanitary Landfill began last April 10 and has been ongoing since then. —VAL, GMA News