Smoke billows from the Navotas sanitary landfill on April 26, 2026). Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David on Friday (May 1) issued an Oratio Imperata to pray for an end to the fire, which has been ongoing since April 10 and has severely polluted mMetro Manila with its toxic smoke. (Photo from Navotas Mayor John Rey Tiangco Facebook)
Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David has issued an Oratio Imperata—a special prayer—for deliverance from the ongoing blaze at the Navotas Sanitary Landfill, as the fire continues to burn unchecked nearly a month after it first erupted.
The directive orders the prayer to be recited after the Prayer of the Faithful in all Masses across the Diocese of Kalookan, underscoring both the spiritual and urgent civic response needed to confront the crisis.
In his appeal, David highlighted the escalating health and environmental threats posed by the fire, particularly the thick, toxic smoke that has spread across nearby communities. He also warned of contaminated runoff seeping into waterways once used as fishing grounds in Manila Bay, compounding the ecological damage.
The prayer calls for divine protection over vulnerable sectors—including children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing illnesses—who are most at risk from air and water pollution. It also urges government agencies to act decisively and hold accountable those responsible for the disaster.
At the same time, the bishop’s message recognizes the relentless efforts of firefighters, engineers, volunteers, and experts working around the clock to contain the blaze. It offers prayers for their safety, strength, and eventual success in extinguishing the fire.
Beyond immediate relief, the appeal stresses a deeper, long-term call for environmental responsibility—highlighting the need for proper waste segregation, reduction, and recycling to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The landfill fire, which broke out on April 10, remains a persistent threat to public health and the environment across Metro Manila, reinforcing the urgency of both collective action and sustained reforms in waste management.