DPWH opens access road to fight landfill fire

Fighting Foul Air DPWH Opens Access Road to Quell Navotas Landfill Fire*
Fire

As the Philippines continues to grapple with the devastating effects of cli
climate change, a prolonged landfill fire in Navotas Sanitary Landfill has 
been wreaking havoc on air quality, posing serious health and environmental
environmental risks. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has
has shifted into high gear to tackle this crisis head-on.

The Prolonged Battle

The fire, which started over 10 days ago, has created deep underground hots
hotspots that are difficult to reach and extinguish. The situation remains 
critical, with thick, toxic smoke continuing to billow from the landfill an
and drift across Metro Manila and nearby provinces, including Bulacan and B
Bataan.

DPWH's Game-Changing Move

To support firefighting operations, the DPWH has deployed a large fleet of 
heavy equipment, including dredgers, bulldozers, dump trucks, and backhoes,
backhoes, working alongside personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection (B
(BFP). The key to their success lies in opening up access roads to facilita
facilitate the movement of equipment and materials.

Prioritizing Sustained Suppression

Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon explained that the strategy is straightf
straightforward but labor-intensive. Crews are continuously dumping soil an
and sludge over exposed flames and subsurface burning pockets to cut off ox
oxygen, cool down heat zones, and prevent flare-ups. With uninterrupted lan
land access, truckloads of soil and additional machinery can move in non-st
non-stop, enabling sustained, round-the-clock suppression efforts.

A Unified Front

Navotas Mayor John Rey Tiangco echoed Dizon's sentiments, stating that oper
operations are now focused on sealing off the fire at its source. We are p
persistently covering the hotspots buried beneath the waste to suppress com
combustion and prevent reignition, he said, adding that progress is being 
made but conditions remain challenging.

The Impact on Air Quality

Air quality in Navotas City has reached an orange classification, with an
an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 138, considered unhealthy for sensitive group
groups. Authorities warned that prolonged exposure to the smoke can aggrava
aggravate respiratory conditions, especially among children, the elderly, a
and those with preexisting illnesses.

Expert Insights

Infectious disease specialist Dr. Rontgene Solante emphasized the importanc
importance of wearing masks as air pollution persists. To prevent complicat
complications such as chemical pneumonia, individuals should prioritize the
their health by staying hydrated and seeking medical attention immediately 
if experiencing difficulty breathing.

Conclusion

The Navotas landfill fire serves as a stark reminder of the devastating con
consequences of climate change. By opening up access roads and deploying he
heavy equipment, the DPWH has taken a crucial step in quelling this crisis.
crisis. As we move forward, it is essential that we prioritize sustained su
suppression efforts and heed expert warnings to protect our health and envi
environment.

Keywords Navotas Landfill Fire, DPWH, Air Quality, Health Risks, Envir
Environmental Concerns

Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

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