DENR-EMB previously issued notices of violation to Phil Ecology Systems Corp, the former operator of Navotas sanitary landfill, since 2024.

EMB-NCR regional director Janice Pammit said she issued two more notices to Phileco after the fire.

According to Pammit, some of Phileco’s violations are non-compliance to daily soil coverage, incomplete gas vents, and late submission of safe closure and rehabilitation plan.

Bakit kaya wala sa usapan ng Navotas Landfill Fire ang San Miguel? Hindi ba sila ang nagpaalis sa PhilEco? Ang alam ko, February 2026 pinasok ng San Miguel yung lugar tapos April 10, nagkasunog na. Sinabihan din daw ng PhilEco ang San Miguel na hindi angkop para tayuan ng cloverleaf interchange ang landfill dahil nga sa ganitong peligro. Kahit pa legal ang ginawa ng San Miguel, alam nila na hindi pa tapos yung Safe Closure and Rehabilitation ng landfill pero pinaalis na ng San Miguel ang PhilEco at inilagay sa alanganin ang kalusugan ng maraming tao. Untouchable talaga itong si Ramon Ang, ano? Maski yung nangyaring pagpalya ng bollard sa NAIA na nauwi sa pagkamatay ng 2 tao, may nangyari bang pananagutan ang San Miguel dito?

Sana may mas magandang coverage ang Rappler tungkol dito.

https://tribune.net.ph/2026/04/24/landfill-land-grab-burning-questions-2

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) records a magnitude 6.1 earthquake in the vicinity of San Julian, Eastern Samar, at 2:09 pm on Monday, May 4, 2026.

Phivolcs says damage is expected. Aftershocks have also been felt in the Eastern Visayas region.

Photo from Phivolcs

Continued poor service from water utility company PrimeWater has led the San Jose del Monte (SJDM) city government to take over the city's local water district effective Tuesday, May 5.

The takeover gives the SJDM city government, led by Mayor Florida Robes, authority over the facilities and assets of the local water district and PrimeWater that are related to water supply and wastewater systems, in accordance with City Ordinance No. 2026-03-012.

The ordinance also allows the city government to appoint an interim water utility operator.

“The city government is committed to restore adequate and reliable water supply to every household within one year,” the city's public information office said in a press release.

The Villar group, last December 2025, sold 100% of PrimeWater to Crystal Bridges Holding Corporation, the investment firm of Puregold tycoon Lucio Co. Crystal Bridges is owned by Co’s children, with Puregold heir Vincent Co as chairman and president, according to the company’s 2025 general information sheet.

PrimeWater SJDM's response to the takeover?

"Received with objections" was apparently written on their copy of the takeover notice, city administrator Rizaldy Mendoza told media during today's press conference.

While no representatives from PrimeWater faced the public today, Mendoza described to the media how officials from the troubled water utility reacted to the takeover notice, which was served to them by city officials during a closed door meeting that happened right before the press conference.

PrimeWater SJDM officials also said they would send the takeover notice to their central office, according to Mendoza.

He noted that this was the first time PrimeWater SJDM had communicated with the city government since the water utility company's joint venture agreement with the local water district was officially terminated in November 2025.

Navotas landfill fire nearly 80% contained as of May 5

After nearly a month, at least 79.6% of the burning Navotas landfill has been put out as of Tuesday, May 5, the Municipality of Navotas reported. | via Patrick Cruz

Nearly a month since a fire broke out at the Navotas landfill, it has yet to be fully extinguished. In this report, we visited the landfill and the surrounding community. We also analyzed air quality data and satellite images to paint a clearer picture of how severe the situation in Navotas has become. Read the story @here https://www.rappler.com/features/newsbreak/in-depth/navotas-landfill-fire-impact/index.html

DENR: SALEX has permit to cut down trees along Quirino Avenue

The Department of Environment and Resources affirms Southern Access Link Expressway Corporation obtained the proper permit to cut down trees along Quirino Avenue for the construction of Southern Access Link Expressway Project. SALEX is an expressway project by San Miguel Corporation. 

The environment department said the project proponent is supposed to plant 50,700 seedlings in Manila to offset the trees they cut down. 

The DENR said in a statement Wednesday, May 20: “Tree cutting is not automatically permitted. All applications undergo evaluation and are subject to compliance with environmental laws, technical assessment, coordination with concerned local government units, and the implementation of mitigation measures to address ecological impacts.”

Cultural organization Renacimiento Manila flagged the tree-cutting on May 18, saying many residents were surprised by the felling of trees. “It is a great question as to why the immediate stakeholders aren't fully informed about this horrific destruction and expressway project,” the group said in a statement. 

Tree-cutting in Manila, Palawan authorized, says DENR

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources said tree-cutting activities along Quirino Avenue for SMC’s SALEX project, as well as in Palawan for the Berong Nickel Project are authorized.

“We assure the public that no tree is authorized for removal without strict legal basis, environmental safeguards, and long‑term rehabilitation requirements,” the DENR said in a statement Monday, May 25.

Among the mitigation standards the DENR reiterated are:
- replacement ratio of 100 indigenous seedlings per tree cut
- maintenance of seedlings for at least three years
- maintenance of 20-meter buffer zones along rivers and waterways

UPDATE. At least 4 died and 17 are still missing as of Monday, May 25, following the collapsed building incident in Angeles, Pampanga, according to the bulletin at the incident command post. 

26 individuals have been rescued so far. On Sunday, May 24, a 9-story building under construction collapsed. 

Rescue and retrieval operations continue on Monday.

New Negros Oriental Capitol now 66-percent complete, eyed to finish by mid-2027

The construction of the new five-storey government center of Negros Oriental has reached 66-percent completion and its inauguration is targeted by June next year, according to Provincial Engineer Andrie Reyes during an oncular inspection on Tuesday, May 26.

Reyes, who served as the project supervisor, said that they are already installing light panels and electrical wires on all five floors while roofing and plumming works are still ongoing.

He also explained that the new government hub includes commercial spaces on the first floor and parking spaces from second to fourth floor that can accommodate up to 113 cars and 169 motorcycles.

Meanwhile, Provincial Administrator Atty. Arthur Fran Tolcidas said that the new government hub will house all legislative offices, offices of three congressional districts, and some national offices.

An extension office of the governor will also be placed on the fifth floor while its main office will still be at the old Capitol. Kean Bagaipo/Mover

UPDATE. San Miguel Corporation volunteered to stop cutting trees in Manila, according to the environment department.

The DENR permitted the tree-cutting along Quirino Avenue for SMC’s proposed Southern Access Link. More details soon.

@Iya Gozum Please note that, to the best of my knowledge, SMC has not issued an official statement about this issue. Now they have the gall to say that they "volunteered" to temporarily suspend the tree cutting? This is a lie. Public outcry, not their conscience, led them to temporarily suspend it.

Hi @DDay , yes, we're also requesting for official statement. They've yet to release one.