REVISITING PHILIPPINE BIOMEDICAL WASTE TREATMENT TARGETS

REVISITING PHILIPPINE BIOMEDICAL WASTE TREATMENT TARGETS Biomedical waste (BMW) treatment remains a critical public health and environmental issue in the Philippines. Despite existing regulations, the lack of publicly available compliance data raises serious concerns. How many hospitals and healthcare facilities comply with biomedical waste treatment laws? Is the compliance rate at 70% perhaps? If so, what happens to the remaining 30% of untreated waste? The Compliance Mystery There appears to be no official reports or accessible databases for the public to verify government and hospital industry compliance with biomedical waste treatment laws. If compliance is less than ideal, where does the untreated waste go? Are there any cases filed against violators? How many have been penalized for non-compliance? The public deserves clear and transparent answers. The Risks of Untreated Biomedical Waste Untreated biomedical waste poses a serious threat to public health. The improper disposal of infectious materials can contribute to the spread of diseases. Is the government fully aware of these risks? If so, how effectively are agencies such as the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) coordinating to address the problem? Does this issue ever make it to high-level discussions in the Cabinet or the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC)? Who is Watching the Waste? One key question is whether biomedical waste is being mixed with ordinary garbage, potentially ending up in dumpsites and landfills. Is anyone investigating these practices? If true, it highlights a dangerous loophole in the system. Are Local Government Units (LGUs) adequately equipped to manage biomedical waste? Are they even required to pass their own municipal ordinances regulating BMW treatment? Regulatory Oversight and Industry Accountability The responsibility of monitoring and reporting biomedical waste disposal falls primarily on the DOH, DENR, and LGUs. However, enforcement remains a challenge. Is there third-party oversight to ensure compliance? While environmental groups, advocacy organizations, and the media play a role, there is no single independent watchdog dedicated to biomedical waste management. Strengthening Coordination and Enforcement A more coordinated effort is necessary to ensure proper BMW treatment. Perhaps it is time to appoint a "Biomedical Waste Treatment Czar" to oversee compliance and drive accountability. Additionally, the Philippine Congress should exercise stronger oversight through relevant committees, including the Committee on Health, the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, and the Committee on Local Government. New Waste Treatment Technology Developed in India According to India News, “scientists working at the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST) in Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala have developed an indigenous technology that treats biomedical waste using chemicals and converts it into manure. The first prototype has been installed at the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi, where the technology will be validated by in-house scientists”. We should instruct our Embassy in New Delhi to get more information about this. A Call for Transparency and Action Biomedical waste management should not be treated as an afterthought. Transparency in compliance data, strict enforcement of regulations, and increased public awareness are essential to safeguarding public health. The government must take decisive action to ensure that no biomedical waste is left untreated, preventing potential health crises before they arise. The time to act is now. Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres iseneres@yahoo.com, 09088877282, senseneres.blogspot.com 03-09-2025