Citing growing environmental risks driven by extreme heat and disasters, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has tightened regulations on sanitary landfills following a nationwide audit of waste disposal facilities.
In a memorandum issued April 22, the DENR directed sanitary landfill operators to submit contingency plans covering fire incidents and other emergencies within 15 days of receipt to the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB).
The contingency plans must include fire prevention and suppression measures, installation and maintenance of gas venting and monitoring systems, inter-agency coordination mechanisms, evacuation and public safety procedures and rehabilitation and mitigation measures.
‘The EMB emphasized that preparedness is critical to minimizing risks to public health, property and the environment, especially under extreme heat conditions,’ said director Jacqueline Caancan.
The department also reminded local government units to immediately cease operations of open and controlled dumpsites to protect nearby communities, emphasizing that the status of closed dumpsites must be verified to ensure compliance with national closure and rehabilitation guidelines.
‘Regional directors were also ordered to conduct regular inspections and validation of disposal facilities, assess risks and site conditions and identify high-risk areas requiring immediate intervention,’ the DENR added.
The stricter landfill oversight forms part of broader efforts to address the country’s rising heat index and the increasing prevalence of fire incidents in waste disposal sites.
Climate drive
Amid these domestic measures, the Philippines is also taking a more active role on the regional stage, leading the ASEAN Climate Week to forge unity among member-states in crafting goals and actions to address the climate crisis.
Juan Miguel Cuna, DENR chief, underscored the urgency of ensuring that national climate plans translate into tangible benefits for communities, especially as flooding and droughts intensify, typhoons grow stronger and sea levels continue to rise.
‘This means protecting and restoring the natural systems that support livelihoods and resilience, from mangrove belts and coral reefs that buffer storm surge, watersheds that sustain agriculture and fresh water, to intact forests that regulate rainfall and stabilize soils,’ he said.