MANILA — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said that environmental conditions surrounding the Navotas Sanitary Landfill Facility are steadily improving following a massive fire on April 10.

During a site inspection with the Department of Public Works and Highways, DENR Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna said enforcement actions and legal proceedings will continue against landfill operator Philippine Ecology Systems Corp. (PhilEco) for alleged violations of environmental laws and conditions under its Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC).

Despite the landfill’s transition phase and San Miguel Corporation’s ownership of the area, Cuna stressed that responsibility for rehabilitation remains with the operator.

“Kailangan gawin pa rin ng operator ang rehabilitation nito (The operator still needs to do the rehabilitation). It is their obligation that they have committed to under the ECC,” he said.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. earlier announced that the landfill fire had been fully extinguished.

DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said continued maintenance is essential to prevent another fire, citing the presence of methane gas beneath the site.

“’Yung buo natakpan na. Pero kagaya ng sinabi natin kanina, tuloy tuloy ito, hindi ito pwedeng huminto. Critical dito ‘yung pag maintain kasi ‘yung nasusunog na gas, ‘yung methane, meron pa yan sa ilalim,” Dizon said.

He added that soil compaction and monitoring are necessary, especially during hot weather conditions, to prevent oxygen from triggering renewed combustion.

“Kailangan laging me lupa. Kailangan kino-compact ‘yung lupa para ma-iwasan ‘yung pagpasok ng oxygen sa ilalim… kung hindi babantayan ito baka pwedeng lumiyab ulit kaya kailangan bantay talaga tayo dito,” he said.

Cuna said the DENR has already issued Notices of Violation against PhilEco for multiple breaches, including failure to submit a Safe Closure and Rehabilitation Plan, insufficient gas vent systems, non-compliance with daily soil cover requirements, unauthorized discharges under the Clean Water Act, and failure to complete an abandonment plan, among others under the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement System.

He said stronger legal action is being prepared in coordination with the Office of the Solicitor General.

“Environmental negligence has consequences. We will not allow operators to walk away from their responsibilities,” Cuna said.

On air quality, the DENR reported significant improvement across Metro Manila and nearby Bulacan, with monitoring stations in Caloocan, Navotas, Meycauayan, and Obando recording “fair” to “good” levels.

The agency said reduced emissions and dissipating smoke indicate a downward trend in risk.

“The air is clearing, the danger is receding and the science shows that our communities are safer today than they were at the height of the incident,” Cuna said.

However, water quality around the landfill remains a concern, with elevated levels of total suspended solids and biochemical oxygen demand detected in earlier tests. The DENR said it has issued a Notice of Violation under the Clean Water Act, and PhilEco has submitted a position paper now under evaluation.

Cuna said coordination with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources continues to monitor marine life in the area, noting potential impacts of poor water quality.

He also confirmed that all 170 families evacuated from Obando have already returned home as of May 4, based on reports from the Office of Civil Defense.