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Air quality in several parts of Metro Manila deteriorated anew as smoke from the still-burning Navotas Sanitary Landfill continued to spread, with residents in nearby areas reporting health symptoms linked to the blaze.
According to a report by Von Aquino on “24 Oras Weekend,” some residents from Obando, Bulacan who were forced to evacuate have begun experiencing cough, colds, and fever after more than a week of exposure to the smoke.
“Napakabigat… sana naman ‘yung nangangasiwa ng dumpsite matugunan agad ‘yun para makauwi na kami,” said evacuee Florentina Garcia.
(The air is very heavy… I hope those managing the dumpsite can address this soon so we can return home.)
“Matagal na hindi ako hinihika, pero dahil sa usok, nag-trigger po ‘yung aking hika,” added Arlene Cabrera, an evacuee and president of the Solo Parent Association in Barangay Salambao.
(I haven’t had asthma for a long time, but the smoke triggered it.)
Health workers have conducted medical check-ups on affected residents, many of whom complained of cough, headaches, and difficulty breathing. Some were also subjected to blood tests after reporting a metallic taste, described as similar to lead, and are now considered high-risk.
Health Secretary Ted Herbosa warned that the smoke from burning waste contains hazardous gases.
“Usok ito ng basura at may mga toxic gases ito—methane, sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide. Lahat po ‘yan ay masama sa kalusugan,” Herbosa said.
(This is smoke from garbage, and it contains toxic gases—methane, sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide. All of these are harmful to health.)
The fire at the Navotas Sanitary Landfill has now entered its eighth day, with firefighting operations still facing challenges.
Authorities said shifting wind directions have made it difficult to contain the blaze.
“Napalipat-lipat ‘yung hangin. Kung saan umihip ang hangin, doon lumalakas ang apoy. Kaya hinati namin sa iba’t ibang sektor para doon na lang sila mag-focus,” an official said.
(The wind keeps shifting. Wherever it blows, the fire intensifies. So we divided the area into sectors so responders can focus on specific zones.)
From the Megadike in Dampalit, Malabon, thick plumes of smoke remain visible from the burning landfill. Trucks have also been deployed to dump soil and create access roads to help contain the fire.
Data from the Philippine Space Agency showed elevated nitrogen dioxide levels on the morning of April 11, reaching as far as Bataan. While concentrations dropped later in the day, they remained above normal levels in Metro Manila.
“Kumalat ang usok mula sa Navotas dahil sa direksyon ng hangin noong panahong iyon. Bumaba man ito sa hapon, nananatili pa rin itong mas mataas kumpara sa normal,” said Aya Carino-Valdez, chief of PhilSa’s public relations and information division.
(The smoke spread from Navotas due to the wind direction at that time. Although it decreased in the afternoon, it remained higher than normal.)
Air quality in several cities—including Navotas, Quezon City, Caloocan, Valenzuela, Malabon, and Manila—was classified as “unhealthy to very unhealthy.”
Authorities advised residents, especially those with preexisting conditions and senior citizens, to stay indoors when possible and wear face masks when going outside.— MCG, GMA News
