Manila, April 26 -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has directed sanitary landfill operators nationwide to submit contingency plans for fires and other emergencies, following a recent audit of waste disposal facilities.

In a memorandum dated April 22, the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) required operators to submit their contingency plans within 15 days, outlining measures to address fire incidents, slope failure, leachate overflow and possible gas explosions.

The directive also covers installation of gas monitoring systems, coordination with local government units (LGUs) and Bureau of Fire Protection, evacuation procedures, and post-incident rehabilitation efforts, according to a news release over the w...