NAVOTAS CITY, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. officially announced on Sunday evening, May 10, 2026, that the massive fire at the Navotas Sanitary Landfill has been fully extinguished. The declaration comes exactly one month after the blaze first ignited on the evening of April 10, ending a month-long air quality crisis that affected millions across Metro Manila and Bulacan.
While the visible flames and smoke have subsided, the President has ordered 24/7 monitoring of the site to prevent reignition and to manage the environmental aftermath.
The fire, which spanned over 70% of the 41-hectare non-operational facility, proved notoriously difficult to suppress due to underground smoldering and unstable layers of waste.
- The Cause: Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) investigators confirmed the fire was sparked by methane gas buildup from decomposing waste, which ignited after being exposed to extreme summer temperatures and uncovered waste surfaces.
- The Strategy: Firefighters eventually shifted from water-based suppression to soil capping, using heavy equipment like bulldozers and backhoes to smother the oxygen supply to the underground fire.
- International Aid: The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) dispatched a technical team in late April to assist the BFP and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in refining their containment tactics.
The “Great Smog of 2026” left a significant footprint on the region’s health and ecology:
- “Very Unhealthy” Air: Air quality in Navotas, Malabon, Caloocan, and Quezon City frequently reached “Very Unhealthy” levels, with the haze reaching as far as Bataan and Bulacan.
- State of Calamity: The neighboring town of Obando, Bulacan, was forced to declare a state of calamity on April 28 due to the dense, toxic smoke.
- Human Toll: Approximately 500 residents were evacuated from nearby islands. Tragically, one 54-year-old evacuee with pre-existing conditions passed away during the displacement.
- Marine Concerns: Environmental groups like Oceana and Greenpeace warned that leachate from firefighting operations and rain runoff could contaminate the nearby Manila Bay fishing grounds.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is currently reviewing potential criminal and civil charges against Philippine Ecology Systems Corp. (Phileco), the former operator of the landfill.
- Failed Closure: Authorities allege Phileco vacated the property in February 2026 without completing its mandated Safe Closure and Rehabilitation Plan (SCRP).
- Continued Monitoring: President Marcos directed the DENR and DOH to sustain:
- Thermal Scanning: To detect any remaining underground hotspots.
- Air & Water Testing: To monitor lingering toxic particulates and potential groundwater contamination.
- Health Surveillance: Long-term monitoring for responders and residents exposed to the month-long haze.
| Metric | Detail |
| Duration | April 10 – May 10, 2026 (30 Days) |
| Area Affected | ~29 Hectares (71.5% of the landfill) |
| Casualties | 1 Death (Evacuee) |
| Primary Cause | Methane Gas Buildup + High Heat |
| Key Responders | BFP, DPWH, MMDA, JICA, San Miguel Corp, Prime Infra |
The landfill, which closed in August 2025, was recently expropriated for the New Manila International Airport project, raising further questions about the site’s long-term rehabilitation requirements before construction can proceed.