๐ท: Satellite image on Thursday, 16 April, shows 28.6 hectares burned in Navotas landfill fire. (Philippine Space Agency | FB)
A 54-year-old woman who had been relocated to the Obando, Bulacan evacuation center due to foul smoke from the burned Navotas sanitary landfill died on Monday, April 20, after suffering severe breathing difficulties.
The Obando Municipal Health Office said she was rushed to the hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
Officials noted she had a history of kidney and heart disease, which may have been aggravated by inhaling smoke.
On April 16, the Environmental Management BureauโNCR convened a technical conference with the Obando Municipal Administrator, MENRO, DENR Region III, Navotas City government, and representatives from PhilEco and San Miguel Aerocity Inc. (SMAI). MENRO stressed residentsโ concerns, calling for accountability. The DENR directed all parties to submit Statements of Commitment outlining responsibilities and next steps.
Obando officials emphasized PhilEcoโs duty to provide concrete assistance, a position backed by DENR and Navotas City.
DENR-EMB NCR Director Janice Pammit identified PhilEco, owned by businessman Dr. Reghis M. Romero II, as the landfillโs former operator, citing its withdrawal from a safe closure plan. EMB-NCR also alleged PhilEcoโs history of non-compliance.
PhilEco, in a statement, argued it had begun implementing a DENR-approved closure plan before SMAIโs expropriation in 2023.
It warned that SMAIโs plan to build a cloverleaf interchange above the landfill could trigger environmental disasters, including fire and methane leakage, noting DENR guidelines prohibit construction atop Category 4 landfills for 30 years.
SMAI countered that it does not operate the landfill, clarifying it only entered the site in February 2026 for transition.
It said PhilEco continued operating until its concession expired in August 2025 but failed to implement closure and rehabilitation. SMAI emphasized its current focus is on containing the fire, ensuring public safety, and coordinating with government agencies to resolve the incident. #
