The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) reported that the water quality near the Navotas Sanitary Landfill, where a massive fire recently occurred, showed “not good” results.
This came after authorities earlier announced that air quality in Metro Manila and Bulacan had already improved to “fair” or “good” levels following weeks of smoke pollution from the landfill fire.
According to DENR Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna, the poor water quality findings prompted the agency to issue a Notice of Violation for breaches of the Clean Water Act.
Aside from this, the DENR also confirmed that it issued Notices of Violation against PHILECO for alleged non-compliance with Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) conditions.
Among the cited violations were the failure to submit a Safe Closure and Rehabilitation Plan; failure to install and maintain air pollution control devices and systems; failure to comply with daily soil cover requirements; and failure to complete the Abandonment Plan.
Cuna stressed that poor water quality could negatively affect marine life.
Meanwhile, the DENR chief said that amid the gradual improvement in air quality, communities are now considered safer compared to the height of the landfill fire incident.
(PHOTO COURTESY: DENR)
