Waste management firm credits upbeat growth to medical sector

CEBU, Philippines - Along with its strong advocacy to help preserve the environment, a Cebu-based waste management company seems to enjoy the growing health care industry for the past 10 years and decides to venture into other waste-related sectors to sustain the business further.

Pollution Abatement Systems Specialists, Inc. (PASSI) is considered to be one of the most dynamic health care facilities in Cebu, pioneering in health care waste treatment using non-burnt technology in the Visayas and Mindanao regions.

The decade-old company is engaged in the collection, transportation, storage, treatment and disposal of infectious wastes using autoclave treatment process.

A waste autoclave is a form of solid waste treatment that utilizes heat, steam and pressure of an industrial autoclave in the processing of waste.

The medical waste is loaded to a refrigerated van to ensure that the waste is properly transported to the facility.

The company recently celebrated its 10th year anniversary this month as the pioneer hospital waste management system establishment and the only accredited treatment and storage facility for medical waste in Cebu.

In an interview with The FREEMAN, PASSI president Julito Pogoy said that the growth of the company over the years is primarily driven by booming medical industry in Cebu and the aggressive expansion programs of private hospitals and clinics.

At present, PASSI has around 152 clients in the province.

He cited that the management of health care waste in the country is driven by concerns about adverse health and environmental effects, uncertainty regarding regulations, negative perceptions by waste handlers, inadequate waste management, lack of awareness about the health hazards, insufficient financial and human resources and poor control of waste disposal.

He added that the company has been working with local government units in the information dissemination on the ill-effects of waste mismanagement that could eventually harm the environment.

“We are responsible for our environment. We must preserve it for the next generation. In sustaining our environment, we assure our future ahead,” he said.

Pogoy revealed that they are planning to expand into establishing a septage treatment facility as the new undertaking of the company in compliance with Republic Act 9275 also known as Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004.

This is in response to the pressing problem of septic waste disposal due to lack of treatment facility in Cebu and in neighbouring regions.

“We are determined to continue our efforts in protecting the environment and the general public to the risk and exposure of improper management of these hazardous wastes. We are envisioned to pursue these objectives and be able to grow and share the mutual benefit of this endeavor,” he stated.

Septage is a thickened and partially-treated sewage that is removed from a septic tank.

Adopting a modern technology to dewater the septage, the waste from septic tank will be processed through the newly-acquired decanter equipment in Singapore which will separate the liquids from the solids.

The solids will be collected and put into a drying bed for at least three months and will then be used as organic fertilizer.

The waste water, on the other hand, will be treated and disposed to wetland or can be used for vegetative irrigation that is acceptable to the World Health Organization.

Pogoy said that the treatment facility will be constructed in the third quarter of this year. It is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2014 and will begin its operations in the second quarter.

He further noted that the company shall also venture into solid and hazardous waste management in the years ahead in compliance to the Republic Act 6969 otherwise known as an Act to Control Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes.

Incorporators of PASSI are also eyeing to expand their hospital and septic waste facilities in Iloilo and Bacolod next month after the elections.

Its office is located at Room 211, Geson Bldg., D. Jakosalem St., Cebu City while its two plants are situated at White Road, Inayawan, Pardo, Cebu City and Sta. Lourdes, Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

Founded in November 2003 by a group of mechanical engineers, PASSI employs over 40 workers to date.

The plant and the autoclave equipment were designed by the engineers themselves and were fabricated in Cebu. /JMD (FREEMAN)