DENR working with OSG, DILG studying possible charges over Navotas landfill fire

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said it is coordinating with the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) for possible legal actions in connection with the ongoing fire at the Navotas sanitary landfill.

“Kasalukuyan na ring nakikipag-coordinate sa OSG para tingnan ang iba pang legal remedies, lalo na't apektado ang air quality at kalusugan ng mga residente sa Navotas at mga karatig-lugar sa Metro Manila,” the DENR told GMA News Online in a message on Thursday.

(We are currently coordinating with the OSG to look into other legal remedies, especially the air quality and health of residents in Navotas and neighboring areas in Metro Manila are affected.)

“The agency is working hand-in-hand with the OSG to ensure that all legal bases are covered. Sinisigurado nating may patutunguhan ang legal remedies at mabigyan ng kaukulang aksyon ang nangyaring insidente,” it added.

(We are ensuring that legal remedies are pursued and that the incident is given due action.)

Asked about who is accountable for the fire incident, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla told GMA News Online, “We are studying it.”

For the DENR, the accountability lies with the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) holder or the company that signed the Sworn Statement of Accountability, assuring that the landfill site would remain safe and compliant with environmental regulations.

The DENR said its Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) has already issued a Notice of Violation (NOV) against the landfill operator.

“Naglabas na ang EMB ng Notice of Violation (NOV) laban sa operator ng landfill. Ang main issue rito ay 'yung hindi nila pagsumite ng Safe Closure and Rehabilitation Plan at Abandonment Plan at pag-implementa nito,” the DENR said.

(The EMB has issued a Notice of Violation (NOV) against the landfill operator. The main issue here is their failure to submit and implement a Safe Closure and Rehabilitation Plan and Abandonment Plan.)

“Importante ito dahil ito dapat ang naglalatag kung paano iha-handle ang site habang papatapos na ang operasyon nito, kasama na ang fire prevention measures para sa mga "methane gas build-up" na karaniwang sanhi ng mga landfill fires,” it added.

(This is important because it should lay out how the site will be handled as its operations stop, including fire prevention measures for ‘methane gas build-up’ which is a common cause of landfill fires.)

The fire at the Navotas landfill started on April 10.

On Wednesday, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said the Navotas landill fire is around 80% contained.

Authorities said they expect the fire would be declared out in four to five days. —VAL, GMA News