THE task force composed of national government agencies and the Navotas City government has resolved to deploy more heavy equipment to bury the closed landfill with soil to suppress the toxic fumes that keep the rubbish fire although it was already initially contained.
Mayor John Rey Tiangco, Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon and other government officials inspected the 41-hectare facility in Barangay Tanza 2 following the April 10 fire which appeared to have been triggered by methane gas underneath and the sun’s heat.
Tiangco said the DPWH chief has already ordered the deployment of backhoes, bulldozers and dredgers at the site to completely bury the landfill with soil in a bid to fully extinguish the blaze completely.
The duo said they’d also seek the help of the private sector for the deployment of more heavy equipment at the site.
Clarifying that the landfill has been permanently shut down since late last year, Tiangco said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources was already conducting its own probe for the possible filing of charges or imposition of sanctions against its former operator – Philippine Ecology Systems Corp. – for apparent abandonment.
“There’s no doubt that the effect of the rubbish fire on air quality extended beyond the immediate area of the blaze,” Tiangco said.
The health department has already warned that the lingering haze from the landfill fire could pose health risks.
Hoping Zaldy Co “will tell all”
Navotas City Rep. Toby Tiangco, who could be best remembered for being the very first government official who came out and named ex-congressman Zaldy Co as being the center of alleged corruption at the House of Representatives, was just confident that the latter would tell all under oath.
The veteran lawmaker then called on the government to immediately send a high-level team to ensure Co’s immediate deportation after his arrest in the Czech Republic.
“Dapat sabihin niya kung sinu-sino pa’ng kasabwat niya sa pinakamalaking korapsyon sa kasaysayan ng ating bansa.”
“Hindi po nakakalimot ang taumbayan at kailangang panagutin lahat ng mga kawatan na nagnakaw sa pera ng taumbayan,” he added.
