Drones, air monitors deployed after Navotas landfill fire

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MANILA, Philippines — The Environmental Management Bureau-National Capital Region (EMB-NCR) deployed drones and air quality monitoring teams as it warns the public after a fire broke out at the Navotas City Sanitary Landfill.

In an advisory issued Saturday, April 11, the EMB-NCR said it had begun an emergency rapid assessment after the blaze, deploying drones and air quality monitoring teams to track possible health risks to nearby communities.

The bureau’s Ambient Air Unit is setting up monitoring stations in both upwind and downwind areas.

Officials are also coordinating with authorities in Region 3 to monitor emissions being carried by the wind to neighboring provinces.

The fire at the landfill started at 7:56 p.m. on Friday, April 10.

In a Facebook post Friday evening, Malabon Mayor John Rey Tiangco said the Bureau of Fire Protection had declared the fire under control.

Health precautions. The EMB-NCR urged residents in affected areas to stay indoors and keep windows and doors closed to keep smoke out.

It also recommended temporarily suspending outdoor activities, including sports and classes, in communities where smoke or foul odors are present.

People who need to go outside were advised to wear N95 masks or equivalent respirators.

The bureau said respiratory protection is especially important for children, infants, older people and pregnant women.

Those with preexisting heart or lung conditions, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, were also urged to take extra precautions.