Pasig city: The Metro Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MMDRRMC) announced on Wednesday that the fire at the Navotas Sanitary Landfill (NSLF) is 79.6 percent contained.

According to Philippines News Agency, during a press conference at the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) headquarters, MMDA chief and MMDRRMC head Don Artes emphasized the council's commitment to addressing the fire situation. The council is concentrating on ground operations, ongoing actions, and the necessary equipment to tackle the blaze. Artes stated that the incident would be used as a learning experience to enhance future preparedness and response strategies.

Furthermore, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. to seek technical assistance from expert teams in Japan and the United States. Both countries have responded positively, pledging continued support for the Navotas region.

Navotas City Mayor John Rey Tiangco assured the public that the air quality index in Metro Manila remains within acceptable levels, as confirmed by data from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). To further assess the situation, a drone with thermal imaging capabilities is being used to monitor potential ignition within the expansive 44-hectare site. Tiangco also highlighted that the landfill's operator has not yet implemented the closure and rehabilitation plan, which violates its Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC).

The NSLF Task Group, led by the local government of Navotas, continues to manage the fire through coordinated efforts involving fire suppression techniques such as soil covering, smothering, and misting. The fire, which started on April 10, is being actively managed by various government agencies, including the MMDA, DND, Office of Civil Defense, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Transportation, and the DENR-Environmental Management Bureau.