Manila: Visiting Japanese experts who assisted Philippine authorities said there has been 'meaningful progress' in addressing the aftermath of the massive fire that hit a landfill facility in Navotas in early April. The Japanese Embassy in Manila on Thursday announced that the Japan Disaster Relief (JDR) Expert Team, deployed to the Philippines on April 23, has completed its nearly week-long assessment and submitted its report to the concerned agencies.

According to Philippines News Agency, the JDR Team, after consultations with the concerned agencies and onsite inspections, assessed that significant progress has been made in addressing the situation. The Japanese Embassy highlighted that the collaboration underscores the strong partnership between Japan and the Philippines.

The embassy emphasized, "This collaboration between Japan and the Philippines reflects the strong partnership, mutual trust, and solidarity between our two countries. We sincerely hope for the swift resolution of the situation." The fire broke out on April 10 at the 41-hectare landfill, raising public health concerns due to its scale and potential impact on Navotas City and nearby communities in Metro Manila.

The blaze produced toxic smoke, leading to evacuations in nearby areas, including Obando, Bulacan. The JDR team's deployment was made upon the request of the Philippine government to support ongoing response efforts at the site.