Marcos Jr. : No repeat of Navotas sanitary landfill fire

MANILA, Philippines —  President Marcos yesterday gave assurance that the government would be vigilant to prevent incidents similar to the Navotas sanitary landfill fire, which posed health risks and displaced residents of nearby areas.

Speaking during the distribution of aid in Obando town in Bulacan, Marcos said it took three weeks before the fire was put out because the landfill was deep and it was not possible to extinguish by simply using water from fire trucks.

He said the smoke from the fire was hazardous because it came from burning plastic.

After Marcos was informed that the fire caused a fatality, he assured residents that such an incident would not happen again.

“From now on, we will really be vigilant against those kinds (of incidents),” he said. “I hope you are in good condition. The fire has been extinguished and it will never happen again.”

The fire started on April 10 triggered by methane gas, which ignited after being exposed to uncovered waste surfaces. The fire affected the air quality in Navotas, Valenzuela, Malabon, Caloocan, Quezon City, Mandaluyong, Makati, Manila and parts of Bulacan.

It was extinguished after the site was covered with wet soil transported by dump trucks. Marcos announced that the landfill fire was fully extinguished on May 10.

Marcos visited the Obando Central School to lead the launch of the Bawat Bayan Makikinabang program.

Under the program, residents will be given 10 kilos of rice every two months through the local government support fund.

During the event, Marcos also interacted with scholars from 11 barangays and urged them to study hard. A total of 55 scholars received financial assistance during the event.