The Negros Occidental provincial government has successfully collected and transported 111 metric tons of hazardous medical waste from four of its hospitals to a Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-accredited treatment facility between June and August 1.
The proper disposal of the massive waste was reported by the Pollution Control Officers under the Provincial Administrator’s Office, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said Monday, August 3.
The hazardous medical waste materials accumulated in septic vaults and storage areas for over three decades, were removed from the Gov. Valeriano M. Gatuslao Memorial Hospital in Himamaylan City, Lorenzo D. Zayco District Hospital in Kabankalan City, Don Salvador Benedicto Memorial District Hospital in La Carlota City, and Ignacio L. Arroyo Sr. Memorial District Hospital in Isabela, he said.
This latest clearance effort follow earlier operations conducted at Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital, Cadiz District Hospital, and Valladolid District Hospital.
Expressing the provincial government’s commitment to establishing strict health and safety standards across all public medical facilities, Diaz highlighted the ongoing efforts to systematically manage healthcare byproducts.
“The hospitals clean up continues with (Urban Hazmat Transport) Hazmat until we perfect the cycle of proper monitoring, packing and responsibly disposing of medical waste,” he said.*
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