The government is preparing to file charges against the management of the Navotas sanitary landfill following a continuing fire that has persisted for nearly a month, officials said during a Metro Manila Council meeting.

Navotas City Mayor John Rey Tiangco said the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) is currently reviewing the complaint to be filed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), signaling possible legal action over alleged negligence in the incident.

Tiangco expressed belief that there was negligence involved, noting that the 44-hectare sanitary landfill had already been ordered closed as early as August last year.

Despite its closure, he said responsibility for the safe closure remains with the operator, Phil. Ecology Systems Corp. (PhilEco), even after the facility was sold to San Miguel Corporation.

He added that the DENR has maintained that the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) is non-transferable, meaning obligations tied to the permit remain with the original holder.

Meanwhile, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Atty. Romando S. “Don” Artes said the agency will tighten accreditation standards for landfill and waste disposal sites operating in Metro Manila to prevent similar incidents.

As of the latest updates, authorities reported that the fire at the Navotas landfill is now 79.6% contained. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) estimates full extinguishment within four to five days, after which backfilling operations—currently at only 30–40% completion—will resume.

However, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) cautioned that full rehabilitation and stabilization of the affected area may still take several years due to the scale of damage and underlying waste conditions at the site.