TABUK CITY, Kalinga– With the increasing number of individuals getting infected with COVID-19, the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) reminds the public to observe the proper and safe disposal of hazardous wastes to avoid possible infection.
In an interview with CENRO’s Supervising Environmental Management Specialist Rielle Christian Domatog during the 3rd Quarter Ecological Solid Waste Management meeting, he specifically pointed out that used face mask, face shields and disposable gloves should be contained in a separate waste bin since these are considered potentially contaminated waste materials.
This he said should be both practiced at the health center facilities and at home.
As a process, said waste items he emphasized should be sanitized before its disposal to also protect the garbage collectors from getting infected.
Unsegregated and improperly disposed hazardous waste he said could also be detrimental to the environment aside from being a health hazard.
With this, the CENRO he said is encouraging everyone to be responsible not only in limiting their waste, but also in practicing proper segregation of wastes, as the nation continues to battle with the pandemic and other diseases.
Meanwhile, the CENRO according to Domatog is reiterating its call for medical and health care facilities, including funeral parlors to install its own hazardous waste storage area for generated toxic wastes.
These environmental and health hazard wastes he said are not allowed to be disposed at the sanitary landfill facility in Barangay Dilag.
The aforementioned health facilities he advised should contact accredited hazardous waste treatment facility and transporter by the Environment Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to collect this type of waste for proper disposal.
Said health treatment facilities are also advised to designate their own pollution control officers to oversee the waste management activities of their own establishment.
City Mayor Darwin Estrañero during the meeting assured the support of the city government to all programs related to environment implemented by the CENRO.
With this, he then encouraged the public to do their share and practice proper waste segregation and disposal to ensure that the city is pollution-free.
