Government efforts to contain a fire at the Navotas Sanitary Landfill have reached nearly 50% as of Wednesday, April 29, with authorities accelerating operations to fully extinguish the blaze and restore normal conditions in surrounding communities.

Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said progress has been steady following intensified coordination among national agencies and international experts, particularly from Japan.

“Hindi biro itong nangyari dito. Nung nagsimula pa lang itong disaster na ito, inutusan kami ni Sec. Mitch, ni Pangulong BBM na talagang i-monitor ito ng mabuti,” Dizon said after inspecting the site.

Japanese experts, including members of the Japan Disaster Relief (JDR) Team, have been deployed to provide guidance on fire suppression techniques.

Dizon expressed gratitude to the Japanese government, noting the Philippines’ limited experience in handling large-scale landfill fires.

Environment Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna said the foreign experts have provided crucial technical advice, including the efficient use of equipment and improved firefighting strategies.

Authorities are currently employing a method of covering burning sections with soil, sand, and other materials to deprive the fire of oxygen — a process officials described as gradual but effective.

“We cannot rush this. It has to be done level by level,” Dizon said. “Slow process ito, pero slowly but surely naman napapatay na natin yung sunog.”

Navotas Mayor John Rey Tiangco also underscored the scale of the disaster and the need for sustained cooperation among agencies.

“Napakalawak nung disaster po dito. Kailangan talaga nagtutulungan,” Tiangco said.

The fire at the Navotas Sanitary Landfill started on April 10, 2026, and has affected parts of Metro Manila with thick smoke, prompting residents to wear face masks due to poor air quality.