EMB flags 5 sanitary landfills in critical condition, at risk of fire

Navotas sanitary landfill (in photo here) is one of the five sanitary landfills at risk of catching fire, accordign to the Environmental Management Bureau, during a Senate committee hearing on Monday, July 20, 2026. PHOTO FROM BONGBONG MARCOS FB. MANILA, Philippines – Five sanitary landfills at risk of catching fire were identified by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) on Monday during the Senate committee on environment, natural resources and climate change hearing on solid waste management. EMB Director Michael Matias informed the panel after Sen. Risa Hontiveros expressed the need for preemptive measures before potential hazards from landfills that are already in “critical condition.” Matias listed the following landfills at risk for “danger of fire:” Article continues after this advertisement Navotas Sanitary Landfill Rizal Provincial Sanitary Landfill in Rodriguez Binaliw Sanitary Landfill in Cebu City Davao City Sanitary Landfill Urdaneta Sanitary Landfill in Pangasinan Most recently, the Navotas Sanitary Landfill was notably on fire for an entire month starting April 10, 2026, due to methane buildup. Meanwhile, in February 2026, a garbage mound in the landfill in Rizal collapsed, killing at least one individual. Another collapse occurred in January 2026, this time at the Binaliw landfill in Cebu, which killed 36 and injured 18. READ: Experts warn of lingering pollutants from Navotas landfill fire The Davao City Sanitary Landfill, on the other hand, was ordered permanently closed on June 20, 2026, and is currently undergoing “ongoing safe closure and rehabilitation,” Matias said. Article continues after this advertisement As for the Urdaneta City Landfill, a plan for its P459-million upgrade and rehabilitation was proposed in 2024, four years after the DDepartment of Environment and Natural Resources ordered a cease and desist order against the landfill for violating the Philippine Clean Water Act. Hontiveros then pointed out the irony that the landfills in critical condition are those in highly urbanized areas, which therefore have more resources. Article continues after this advertisement She also noted that the tragedies involving landfills are not mere accidents or isolated incidents, adding, “This is a symptom of a deeper problem — a failure of governance and failure of implementation in our waste management.” “Our laws are clear. Landfills are meant to be the last resort and not the default solution. But gaps in the implementation of waste reduction, segregation, and recycling at the local level continue to push large volumes of waste into landfills,” Hontiveros continued./coa Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.