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Navotas landfill fire

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Navotas landfill fire
Estimated burnt area extent of the landfill fire in Navotas, as assessed by the Philippine Space Agency on 26 April 2026, using satellite imagery captured by the Sentinel-2 satellite.
Map
Date (2026-04-10) (2026-05-10)April 10 – May 10, 2026 (30 days)
Location
TypeLandfill fire
CauseMethane buildup and high temperature
Deaths1
Property damage
At least 71 percent of the landfill burned
Displaced~500 evacuees

On April 10, 2026, a fire broke out at the closed Navotas Sanitary Landfill in Navotas, Metro Manila, Philippines. The fire generated large amounts of smoke that resulted in hazardous air quality and evacuations in Metro Manila and Bulacan. The fire was extinguished a month later, on May 10, after having burned through roughly 70% of the landfill.

Background

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The Navotas Sanitary Landfill is a 41.121 ha (101.61 acres) landfill on an island.[1][2] The facility, which opened in 2006, was operated by the Philippine Ecology Systems Corporation (Phileco).[1][3]

A court-approved expropriation in 2023 turned over the property to the San Miguel Aerocity Inc. (SMAI) for the proposed New Manila International Airport.[4] Phileco closed the landfill on August 26, 2025 ahead of its franchise expiration in December.[5][6] Phileco vacated the facility in February 2026.[6]

Fire

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A fire broke out at the closed Navotas Sanitary Landfill on April 10, 2026 at around 19:56 PHT (UTC+8).[7] According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), methane gas buildup and extreme heat were the cause of the fire.[8]

To suppress the fire, firetrucks, two barges with water tankers, and helicopters of the Philippine Air Force were used.[5] The BFP declared the fire was under control on April 12.[9]

Soil capping was later used to further suppress the fire.[2] Tidal conditions has hindered watercraft from reaching the site.[10] An access road was built to connect the island to the mainland.[11]

Upon the request of the Philippine government, the Japan International Cooperation Agency dispatched a Japan Disaster Relief (JDR) team which arrived in Manila on April 23.[12] They assessed and approved the methods implemented before their arrival.[13][14]

Half of the fire was extinguished by April 28, according to Public Works secretary Vince Dizon.[15] By May 6, 80% of the fire had been contained according to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).[16] The fire was declared extinguished by president Bongbong Marcos on May 10.[17]

Impact

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The Philippine Space Agency, analyzing satellite imagery, notes that 28.6 ha (71 acres) or 71.5 percent of the landfill was burned as of April 16, 2026.[18]

Smog from the fire affected various parts of Metro Manila.[19] Around 500 people living on nearby islands were evacuated away from the landfill.[20] One evacuee, a 54-year-old woman with a history of heart and kidney disease died.[21]

Reactions

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Potential lawsuit

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The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)’s Environmental Management Bureau in the National Capital Region (EMB-NCR) has considered filing criminal, administrative, and civil charges over Phileco over the landfill fire.[6]

DENR EMB-NCR alleged that Phileco failed to complete its Safe Closure and Rehabilitation Plan (SCRP) when it vacated the facility in February 2026 or two months after its franchise expired.[6]

Religious sector

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The Kalookan bishop Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David issued an Oratio Imperata or special prayer to be recited in masses under the jurisdiction of the diocese on May 1, 2026 in response to the fire.[22][23]

References

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  1. 1 2 "Project Description - Navotas Sanitary Landfill Facility Additional Tipping Capacity Per Day Project" (PDF). Philippine Ecology Systems Corporation. Retrieved May 1, 2026 – via Environmental Management Bureau (National Capital Region).
  2. 1 2 Orcio, Francis (April 27, 2026). "Navotas landfill fire enters third week as responders race against toxic threats; Japanese experts join response". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved May 1, 2026.
  3. ↑ Botial, Jerry (June 12, 2005). "Navotas controlled dump to operate until end-2005". The Philippine Star. Retrieved May 1, 2026.
  4. ↑ Gozum, Iya (April 30, 2026). "Notices of violation issued vs Navotas landfill operator prior to fire". Rappler. Retrieved May 1, 2026.
  5. 1 2 Canlas, Richielyn (April 12, 2026). "Navotas DRRMO clarifies fire-hit landfill not owned by LGU". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved May 1, 2026.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Andal, Jonathan (April 14, 2026). "DENR-EMB mulls raps vs ex-operator of Navotas landfill". GMA News. Retrieved May 1, 2026.
  7. ↑ Baclig, Cristina Eloisa (May 1, 2026). "Navotas landfill fire may leave lasting toxic threat to Manila Bay food chain". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 1, 2026.
  8. ↑ Allen Limos; Aric John Sy Cua (April 19, 2026). "Metro air unhealthy as Navotas landfill fire blazes". The Manila Times. Retrieved April 24, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Navotas landfill fire now under control". GMA News. April 12, 2026. Retrieved May 1, 2026.
  10. ↑ Rosel, Trixee (April 15, 2026). "Prime Infra sends tugboats to battle Navotas landfill fire". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved May 1, 2026.
  11. ↑ Macababbad, E. J. (April 19, 2026). "Navotas builds road to burning landfill site". The Philippine Star. Retrieved May 1, 2026.
  12. ↑ Espiritu, Rex (April 23, 2026). "Japan expert team arrives in PH to help address Navotas landfill fire". Manila Standard. Retrieved May 1, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Japanese experts report progress in Navotas landfill fire response". SunStar. SunStar Publishing Inc. Philippine News Agency. April 30, 2026. Retrieved May 1, 2026.
  14. ↑ Rosel, Trixee (April 25, 2026). "Japan experts approve Navotas landfill fire fight". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved May 1, 2026.
  15. ↑ Sampang, Dianne (April 28, 2026). "Almost half of Navotas landfill fire put out – Dizon". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 1, 2026.
  16. ↑ Rita, Joviland (May 6, 2026). "Navotas landfill fire 80% contained, MMDA says". GMA News. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  17. ↑ Ferreras, Vince Angelo (May 10, 2026). "Navotas landfill fire now extinguished — Marcos". GMA News. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
  18. ↑ Ronda, Rainier Allan. "PhilSA: 71.5% of Navotas sanitary landfill burned". Philstar.com. Retrieved April 24, 2026.
  19. ↑ Baltazar, Cecile (April 27, 2026). "Masks urged anew in Metro Manila amid unhealthy air quality from Navotas landfill fire". Philstar Life. Retrieved May 1, 2026.
  20. ↑ Castro, Pam (May 1, 2026). "Metro Manila landfill fire leaves locals gasping". ABS-CBN News. Agence France-Presse. Retrieved May 1, 2026.
  21. ↑ Velez, Freddie (April 21, 2026). "Evacuee dies in Obando as Navotas landfill smoke lingers". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved May 1, 2026.
  22. ↑ Casucian, Jiselle Ann (May 1, 2026). "Cardinal David issues prayer to extinguish Navotas landfill fire". GMA News Online. Retrieved May 1, 2026.
  23. ↑ "Diocese calls for prayers as Navotas landfill blaze persists". CBCP News. May 1, 2026. Retrieved May 1, 2026 – via InterAksyon.
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