PhilSA: 71.5% of Navotas sanitary landfill burned

MANILA, Philippines — Around 28.6 hectares or 71.5 percent of the 40-hectare Navotas sanitary landfill have been burned, according to the Philippine Space Agency.

PhilSA said as of April 16, the scorched area had grown slightly larger than the Quezon Memorial Circle.

Satellite maps generated by the PhilSA have been turned over to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council to support ongoing response operations.

Metro Manila cities are recording highest levels of fine particulate pollution since the fire broke out on April 10, according to a study by the Ateneo Center for Research and Innovation and Breathe Metro Manila.

Air quality in parts of northern Metro Manila has reached “very unhealthy” levels, researchers said.

San Miguel denies role

Meanwhile, San Miguel Aerocity Inc. has clarified that SMAI does not operate the sanitary landfill.

While SMAI acquired the property through a court-approved expropriation in 2023, the company said it only gained access to the site in February for transition arrangements.

Phil Ecology Systems Corp. had operated the landfill under a concession agreement with the Navotas government, which expired in August 2025.

After the contract’s expiration, PhilEco reportedly failed to complete the landfill’s closure and rehabilitation and left the facility in February, SMAI said.

The Valenzuela government provided aid to residents of Obando, Bulacan affected by the landfill fire.

Mayor Wes Gatchalian said the city sent a mobile shower and toilet, a water filtration system and two ambulances to Barangay Salambao, where evacuees are staying. — Mark Ernest Villeza, Bella Cariaso