DENR starts probe into fire at landfill

CEBU, Philippines – Cebu City officials may face possible charges if it is proven that operations of the Inayawan sanitary landfill fall short of standards provided for by law, said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

DENR environment section head Rolando Luego said they have started their investigation into the fire and if proven that the city has violated the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, city officials may face administrative charges and may be fined up to P50,000.

Since the fire broke out morning of April 6, residents leaving near the area have complained of the continuous smoke emitted by the dump site that reportedly has started affecting their health.

Yesterday, Luego ordered environmental inspector Manny Dongkoy to speak with city officials on this regard and to conduct an ocular inspection at the dump site.

The law requires proper segregation of garbage - to separate the biodegradable and the non-biodegradable ones before these are dumped into the landfill, but this is reportedly not strictly implemented at the dump site.

As this developed, city fire marshal Esmael Codilla yesterday ordered firetrucks to be detailed at the landfill so that recurring fire can be immediately responded to.

Codilla said decomposing garbage emits the flammable gas methane, which ignites at even minor contact with heat such as cigarette flame and even heat from the sun.

Codilla said they are particularly conscious of fire getting near the methane gas tank to prevent a much bigger problem if the tank would explode.

He said they will make the proper recommendations once they finish their own investigation on the incident.

Codilla admits they are still “not certain of what they are dealing with,” considering that fire reportedly breaks out randomly. He explained that they are currently giving more effort on keeping heat from spreading by continually pouring water in areas where fire is expected to ignite.

Then again, Codilla said they are taking precaution even in pouring water, as too much of it might soften the soil and may cause the landfill to cave in.

Codilla said they would also heed the order of Mayor Tomas Osmeña to use perforated pipes beneath the garbage to release the methane gas trapped within, but the same can be done reportedly only after the fire is totally put off.

At City Hall, Vice Mayor Michael Rama instructed city health officer Fe Cabugao to monitor the health situation of residents near the dump site and to recommend for their transfer if necessary.

Dump site personnel had said the continued emission of smoke from the landfill since last week had affected the health of the more than 100 people residing near it.

Rama also ordered Councilor Christopher Alix, chairman of the City Council committee on health and hospital services, to help in monitoring the conditions of those residing near the site and to attend to their health needs.

Rama said the city will open a temporary road at the area to make it easier for firetrucks to pass towards the dump site.

With the series of fires that hit the city the past few days, Rama said he will check whether or not the directive to deploy firetrucks in strategic points in the city, especially in thickly-populated areas, has been complied with.

The fire, triggered by methane gas, has eaten up four hectares of the 17-hectare Inayawan landfill. — Rene U. Borromeo and AJ A. de la Torre with Crishchellyn Abayon and Queennie Kuebler/JMO (THE FREEMAN)