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

The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) has flagged five sanitary landfills across the Philippines as being in critical condition, posing a serious risk of fire. The alert came during a Senate committee hearing on Monday, July 20, 2026, focusing on solid waste management. Among the identified sites is the Navotas Sanitary Landfill, which has drawn particular attention due to a prolonged fire that lasted for an entire month beginning on April 10, 2026, caused by methane accumulation. The EMB director, Michael Matias, presented the findings to the committee after Senator Risa Hontiveros raised concerns about the need for proactive measures to prevent potential dangers associated with these landfills. The list of high-risk facilities includes the Rizal Provincial Sanitary Landfill in Rodriguez, the Binaliw Sanitary Landfill in Cebu City, the Davao City Sanitary Landfill, and the Urdaneta Sanitary Landfill in Pangasinan. Each of these sites has faced significant issues over recent months. The Navotas Sanitary Landfill, located in Navotas, Manila, became a focal point due to its extended fire incident. Methane gas, a byproduct of decomposing organic waste, built up to dangerous levels, leading to the outbreak. This situation highlights the ongoing challenges in managing waste in densely populated areas, where disposal infrastructure often struggles to keep pace with demand. In February 2026, a tragic event unfolded at the Rizal Provincial Sanitary Landfill, where a garbage mound collapsed, resulting in the death of at least one person. A similar incident occurred earlier in January 2026 at the Binaliw Sanitary Landfill in Cebu City, which claimed 36 lives and injured 18 others. These occurrences underscore the urgent need for improved safety protocols and better oversight of landfill operations. The Davao City Sanitary Landfill, another site under scrutiny, was officially ordered to close permanently on June 20, 2026. Currently, it is in the process of a phased shutdown and rehabilitation, aiming to ensure public safety and environmental protection. Meanwhile, the Urdaneta Sanitary Landfill, which had previously received a cease and desist order from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in 2020 for violating the Philippine Clean Water Act, is set to undergo a planned P459 million upgrade and rehabilitation project initiated in 2024. Senator Hontiveros highlighted the paradox that many of these problematic landfills are situated in highly developed regions, which should theoretically possess greater resources to manage such crises effectively. She emphasized that these incidents are not random but indicative of systemic failures in governance and the execution of waste management policies. According to her, the legal framework clearly states that landfills should serve as a final option rather than a primary method of waste disposal. However, the lack of effective waste reduction, segregation, and recycling initiatives at the local level continues to funnel substantial amounts of refuse into these facilities. The implications of these findings suggest a broader issue requiring immediate attention. With multiple landfills facing critical conditions and past incidents revealing severe risks, there is a pressing need for comprehensive reforms in waste management practices nationwide. As the government moves forward, addressing these challenges will be crucial to preventing further disasters and ensuring sustainable waste handling solutions.