EDITORIAL - Improper practice of hospital waste disposal

Whoever dumped the hospital wastes in the seawaters off Lapu-Lapu City should face the full force of the law. Those responsible should be held liable for not only properly disposing of infectious items but for contaminating the seawaters as well.

As of Wednesday, medical wastes were found in at least four barangays: Ibo, Pajo, Poblacion and Pusok. This prompted the Lapu-Lapu City government to advise residents in these areas not to swim or collect seashells along the shores.

At least 50 kilos of medical trash were already collected by personnel of City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) from those areas. Mayor Paz Radaza has already demanded explanations from two hospitals over the discovery of the medical wastes.

Those responsible hospitals should have a lot of explaining to do about why their wastes have found their way into Lapu-Lapu City seawaters. They should be investigated not only over the dumping of trash into the sea but on whether they have complied with the law on the proper disposal of hospital wastes.

Of course, such investigation should not only be limited to those hospitals involved in the improper dumping of wastes. Authorities should also look into the practices of other hospitals around Metro Cebu to see whether they follow the law on appropriate waste handling.

Since this is the first time, the discovery of infectious hospital wastes may have been an isolated case. However, it could seriously affect Lapu-Lapu City’s bustling tourism industry as it might scare away tourists.

Drawing tens of thousands of foreign and local visitors a year, tourism is one of Lapu-Lapu City’s economic drivers. And we can only imagine how huge the effect the hospital waste issue will bring to the industry, and to the city’s overall economy, if tourists will start sidestepping the city in the wake of this serious controversy.