Explain infectious wastes in 15 days, 2 firms told

CEBU, Philippines — The two firms in the center of the controversy surrounding the medical wastes found floating in the waters off Lapu-Lapu City were given 15 days to explain why no criminal and administrative charges shall be filed against them for violating environmental laws.

The Environmental Management Bureau-7 initially found Davao City Environmental Care, Inc. (DCECI) and Chong Hua Hospital Mandaue and Cancer Center (CHHMCC) guilty of violating the provisions of Republic Act  6969 otherwise known as the Toxic Chemicals and Hazardous Waste Management Act. Both firms were fined P250,000 and P110,000, respectively.

DCECI and CHHMCC were called to a technical conference Wednesday where EMB-7 informed them of their violation of the hazardous waste management. The conference was presided over by EMB-7 legal officer Unalee Monares.

Monares clarified that the fines do not mean that the firms are also guilty of throwing hazardous wastes into the seawaters off Lapu-Lapu City. She said this will be subject to investigation precisely they were given 15 days to submit position papers.

Monares said that based on the explanation, EMB-7 director William Cuñado will decide what legal actions to take. Some of the medical wastes fished out from the waters off Lapu-Lapu City were traced to CHHMCC and other hospitals in Mandaue City.

CHHMCC said it has contracted DCECI as third party health service provider responsible in the disposal of their hazardous wastes. The same firm was also contracted by UCMed.

In a statement, UCmed said the company is the only accredited by the government to dispose of hospital wastes.

"As far as we know, it is the only company in Cebu that is accredited by the government for the treatment, storage and disposal of the same," UCMed statement reads.

The hospital management assured that it is conducting its own investigation and if necessary, put further measures to ensure compliance with existing laws, rules and regulations.

UCMed chairman lawyer Augusto W. Go, in a report by TV Patrol Central Visayas, said they have already severed their contract with DCECI following the incident.

Go explained that they hired the services of the company to dispose of their hazardous wastes after conducting due diligence because their credentials appeared to be in order.

But because of the controversy, UCMed will consider looking for another service provider.

At least 50 kilos of hospital wastes were picked up by the personnel of City Environment and Natural Resources Office of Lapu-Lapu City in the past five days in Barangays Ibo, Pajo, Poblacion, and Pusok.

Mayor Paz Radaza has already advised the residents from the affected barangays to refrain from swimming and picking seashells.

The city government is also contemplating of filing cases against those responsible of the pollution. (FREEMAN)