Hospital, contractor face raps for violating environmental laws

TUBA, Benguet, Philippines — Charges have been filed against officials of a hospital and a private contractor in Baguio City for allegedly dumping hospital waste in a private lot near a river.

The police in Tuba, Benguet filed charges for violation of Republic Act 9003 (Solid Waste Management Act), RA 6969 (Toxic and Hazardous Waste Act) and RA 9147 (Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act) against officials of the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center and contractor Onofre Calam-ing on Thursday. 

Tuba residents had complained that hospital waste were dumped in a 5,000-square-meter lot where Calam-ing has been dumping soil.  

The owner of the lot said he only allowed Calam-ing to dump soil in the area. 

Tuba environment and local government officials inspected the area on July 12 and asked Calam-ing to remove hospital waste. 

A technical conference on the complaints is set on Aug. 1. 

The hospital has yet to issue a statement on the matter. 

Residents said some hospital waste were swept away by rain water to Najeng river, the main contributory river of the Tapuakan river in Pugo, La Union.