The Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources (OCENR) on Wednesday reminded all private and public hospitals operating in Legazpi to put their hazardous waste materials in sealed containers to facilitate safe collection.
OCENR also issued the same reminder to the City Health Office (CHO) and private clinics; the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), City Engineering Office, the Emergency Quick Response Team (EQRT) and other front-liners and residents in every barangay of this city.
OCENR chief Ceciro Caño, in an interview, said used face masks, gloves and personal protective equipment (PPE) gowns should be disinfected first before disposal.
Caño pointed out that the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) has issued a memorandum that all hazardous materials must not be included in the wastes being disposed at the city’s sanitary landfill.
“The OCENR has already conducted an orientation in some private and government institutions, including barangays on how to keep the hazardous materials in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19) in the communities,” he added.
Caño said he asked barangay officials to constantly remind their constituents to dispose of toxic waste materials properly to avoid leaks that could compromise the safety of the public.
He also clarified that the truck loaded with used PPE parked at the adjacent area of the OCENR office was disinfected and could not pose a threat to the public as its contents are all tightly sealed.
Caño said his office is just waiting for the arrival of the private container van that will be used to transport the toxic materials for disposal in Metro Manila.
“I will inform all the private and government institutions including barangays when the container van arrives here in Legazpi anytime soon to collect all the hazardous materials to treatment facility in Metro Manila,” he said.
Caño said OCENR is planning to put up a pyrolitic incinerator, a machine being used for the treatment of hazardous materials.
He added that he has asked Mayor Noel E. Rosal regarding the proposed acquisition, who in turn told him that there is a need for a series of studies and documentation for the putting up of the incinerator.
“The hazardous treatment facility will become an income generating project on the part of the city government of Legazpi that can be used for treatment of toxic materials from hospitals and clinics here in this city and other neighboring municipalities,” Caño said.
Meanwhile to help revive the local economy of this city, the Legazpi City Inter-Agency Task Force has allowed the reopening of all business establishments at the city’s southern boulevard.
Rosal, in an advisory said the city government is now open to accept the application for clearance to resume operations of night establishments that include resto bars as well as beerhouses, restaurants and other establishments serving alcohol drinks.
“The food and beverages establishments should set up a table limited only for four persons with at least one-meter distancing (for) each person and every table must be fixed and it should be marked out to accommodate groups with four costumers,” the advisory said.
Business establishments should also put up mark lines with a one-meter distance between customers from the entrance as part of the health and safety protocols.
The mayor, however, said any form of entertainment like live music and radio broadcast including video screenings, dancing, dart games and karaoke are not allowed and only recorded music may be played as a soft background.
Rosal also advised owners of business establishments to conduct temperature screening on all customers before entering the establishments.
Legazpi City has 246 recoveries from Covid-19, 13 deaths, 45 active cases and 304 total confirmed cases. (PNA)
