The soil covering operations at the burning Navotas Sanitary Landfill are ongoing, according to the Navotas City Local Government Unit. The operation aims to speed up the fire suppression

According to the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), a decrease in additional hotspots has been observed, proving that the soil covering strategy in the area is effective.

The Department of Public Works (DPWH), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and Navotas LGU have not provided a specific timeline to complete the operations, but they assured that it will continuously operating until a “fire out” is officially declared.

According to DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon, nearly 50% of the 44-hectare landfill has already been covered by soil. 

“44 hectares yung landfill; ang nasusunog siguro halos 90% non, nung simula pero ngayon according to the estimates halos mangangalahati na tayo don sa napapatay nating area,” he said

[“The landfill is 44 hectares; maybe almost 90% of that was burning at the start, but according to the current estimates, we are nearly halfway through the area where the fire has been suppressed.”]

The Secretary also expressed his gratitude for the technical assistance provided by Japan.

“Nagpapasalamat ulit tayo sa gobyerno ng Japan kasi nabibigyan nila tayo ng technical assistance,” he added 

[“We thank the Japanese government once again for providing us with technical assistance.”]

With reports from Nestor Torres and Joan Nano