The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said air quality around the Navotas Sanitary Landfill Facility has improved as smoke and smoldering continue to decline.
Monitoring stations in Navotas, Caloocan, Meycauayan, and Obando showed air quality ranging from “Fair” to “Good,” with conditions returning close to normal levels.
DENR Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna said the situation is now safer compared to the peak of the incident. Authorities also confirmed that all 170 families evacuated in Obando have returned home.
Despite the improvement, the DENR has issued violation notices against landfill operator Philippine Ecology Systems Corp. (PHILECO) for alleged environmental violations, including failure to submit required closure plans, poor pollution control measures, and unauthorized discharges.
The agency is also preparing legal action with the Office of the Solicitor General.
The DENR said the incident highlights the need for stricter enforcement of waste segregation and proper landfill management under Republic Act 9003. It urged local governments to fully implement “No Segregation, No Collection” policies and improve Materials Recovery Facilities.
The department added that properly managed sanitary landfills remain part of modern waste management, alongside newer enclosed waste recovery technologies aimed at reducing fire risks and pollution.
The DENR said monitoring and enforcement operations at the Navotas landfill will continue.
