Environment Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna visited an evacuation site on May 1 at Obando National High School, where around 120 families are staying after being displaced by heavy smoke from a landfill fire in Navotas.
The visit follows orders from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to ensure the safety of communities affected by environmental hazards. Cuna spoke with evacuees and checked conditions at the site to ensure families are safe and receiving proper assistance.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said it has intensified efforts to control the fire. Teams are working to put out remaining hotspots and reduce smoke through soil covering, cooling, and dredging operations.
Air quality monitoring has also been expanded, with additional sensors deployed to track pollution levels in real time. Authorities are testing for harmful substances such as dioxins and methane.
Cuna said the DENR is focusing on both immediate response and determining the cause of the fire. A compliance audit of landfill operations and a technical investigation are now underway. Any violations found may lead to penalties.
The agency will continue releasing air quality updates and advised residents—especially vulnerable groups like children, the elderly, and those with health conditions—to follow local government guidance and wear proper masks until it is safe to return home.
DENR said its operations will continue until the fire is fully controlled, affected families are protected, and the investigation is completed.
