A six-member team of Japanese disaster experts has arrived in the Philippines to help authorities finally extinguish the stubborn landfill fire in Navotas, as smoke and hazardous air continue to affect parts of Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
The team, deployed under the Japan Disaster Relief (JDR) program of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), began work on April 23 following a request from the Philippine government through the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
Led by Minister Naobumi Yokota of the Embassy of Japan, the six-member group is tasked to conduct technical assessments and provide guidance to Philippine authorities battling the lingering fire at the 41-hectare Navotas landfill.
“The expert team will stay in the Philippines for the duration of its mission to carry out technical assessments and provide guidance in close coordination with relevant Philippine authorities,” JICA said in a news release issued late last week.
Fire not fully out, smoke continues to spread
While earlier reports said the fire was “under control,” authorities clarified that this does not mean it has been fully extinguished. As of April 23, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) continued to report “smoldering conditions” at the site — an indication that underground hotspots remain active.
Satellite monitoring by the Philippine Space Agency (PSA) showed that air quality across Metro Manila has yet to return to normal, with smoke drifting as far as Bulacan and Bataan.
Environmental monitors from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) reported at least eight areas in Metro Manila experiencing unhealthy air quality levels, affecting cities including Navotas, Malabon, and parts of Quezon City.
In nearby Obando, Bulacan, more than 300 residents were evacuated due to heavy smoke, with some reports placing the number closer to 400.
The situation has shifted from a visible blaze to a more difficult phase: underground smoldering.
This means the fire is burning beneath layers of waste, making it harder to extinguish and prolonging smoke emissions for days — or even weeks.
Authorities have been using a combination of methods to suppress the fire, including covering hotspots with soil; compacting and cooling the waste mass; water misting to reduce smoke; aerial water drops with support from the Philippine Air Force (PAF); and deployment of heavy equipment such as bulldozers and excavators
The Japanese team is expected to help refine these methods, particularly in fire suppression, air pollution monitoring, and waste management.
A later update noted that Japanese experts had already approved the fire-control methods being used, indicating close coordination and ongoing response operations.
Long-standing PH-Japan disaster cooperation
The JDR deployment highlights Japan’s long-standing disaster response partnership with the Philippines.
“The Japan Disaster Relief (JDR) program is a core pillar of JICA’s cooperation with partner governments, providing timely assistance in times of disaster and supporting recovery efforts,” JICA said.
In the Philippines, JDR support dates back to the 1990 Baguio earthquake and has continued through recent disasters, including humanitarian assistance after the 2025 Cebu earthquake.
JICA, which implements Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA), supports development and disaster response efforts in more than 140 countries.