EMB fines Chong Hua over hospital wastes

CEBU, Philippines —  The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB)- 7 has ordered Chong Hua Hospital Mandaue and Cancer Center (CHHMCC) to pay a fine of P110,000 for its violations involving medical wastes found floating at the shores of Lapu-lapu City last January 5.

This was the resolution of EMB-7 after going through the position paper submitted by CHHMCC received by the Office on January 24.

EMB-7, however, makes it clear that nowhere in the Notice of Violations that there office has accused CHHMCC of throwing its wastes to any surface water including Mactan Channel.

“It is clearly stated in the law that the generator of any waste should be responsible for the management, treatment, and safe disposal of medical wastes including the preparation and submission of the required documents regardless if they acquire the services of a third party. Both parties are severally liable for any misdeclaration in all documents submitted to our office. Let us always remember the cradle to grave principle in waste management of gaseous, liquid, solid or special wastes.” EMB-7 regional director William P. Cun~ado said as he reminded all concerned stakeholders.

The position paper was an appeal by the respondent during the Technical Conference conducted by EMB-7 with CHHMCC for having violated the provisions of Republic Act 6969 or the Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act based on the findings of investigation conducted.

As per investigation, EMB-7, in a statement, said that CHHMCC failed to file manifest forms for its treatment and disposal of healthcare wastes and allowing the use of pull-out documents as proof of hauled medical wastes instead of using the prescribed manifest forms version 2018 pursuant to DENR Administrative Order 2013-22.

Moreover, EMB-7 said there was inconsistency of data presented on the Self-Monitoring Report (SMR) compared to the data in the pull-out forms wherein a total of 33 metric tons (MT) were hauled by Davao City Environmental Care Inc. (DCECI). However, the latter was only permitted to take and receive 30 MT of wastes.

Further, CHHMCC declared in its position paper that under the MOA, the DCECI was to “assume full responsibility and risk in the transport of these wastes from the hospital to the TSD facility”.

After a thorough evaluation of the position paper submitted by CHHMCC, a resolution was crafted by EMB-7 ordering the management of CHHMCC to pay the fine amounting to P110,000 within 15 days from receipt of the said resolution.

“Respondent (CHHMCC) cannot seek refuge by invoking its MOA to secure and submit the Manifest Forms, and Certificates of Treatment to this Office. Respondent should have monitored and made sure that DCECI has indeed submitted the required documents to this Office, which the former has miserably failed to do so”, the resolution reads.

EMB-7 has yet to finalize the resolution for DCECI. — MBG, (FREEMAN)