Oro dads study proposed waste treatment facility

THE joint City Council committees on environment and natural resources and on health and sanitation and health insurance chaired by Councilors Zaldy Ocon and Maria Lourdes Gaane is now reviewing the proposed installation of treatment facility for toxic and hazardous waste in the city.

This, as the committees discussed recently on the proposed ordinance for proper handling, storage, collection, transport, treatment, and disposal of hazardous wastes.

During the meeting, a representative of the City Local Environment and Natural Resources Office (Clenro) explained the importance of putting up a treatment facility, citing that most of the hospitals do not have a waste facility and tend to hire private institutions for their waste disposal.

“Importante gyud kaayo ni siya kay it poses danger pud sa atong public health kung pasagdan lang nato ang mga hazardous waste nga dili nato maayo pag manage,” she explained.

The proposed ordinance was initiated by Clenro in view of issues and concerns on the separation, treatment, and disposal of hazardous wastes and solid waste management in the city.

“The facility sa solid waste cannot accommodate hazardous waste,” she explained.

It may be recalled that the City Council approved a budget of P50 million for the proposed treatment facility, which will be placed in Barangay Pagalungan.

Gaane said all public and private hospitals will benefit from the facility. The city can also generate revenue from its operations, she added.

“Wala na siya’y economic usage, disposal na gyud siya diretso. But before disposal mo-agi pa siya og treatment,” the Clenro representative said.

She said at present, hospital waste materials are stored in septic vaults. However, the septic vaults of other hospitals are now fully loaded possibly because of the increase in bed capacity and hospital supplies.

The committees requested Clenro to present the details of the proposed health care facility during its meeting next week. (sp)