THE establishment responsible for the improper disposal of used rapid test kits which resulted in them falling off from a garbage bag and landing right on a street in Sampaloc, Manila Tuesday night, had been identified and ordered closed in the meantime.
Mayor Isko Moreno announced this as he also directed Secretary to the Mayor Bernie Ang to issue a ‘show cause order’ against the establishment identified as the CP Diagnostic Center, located at Suite 404, Equitable Bank Building, C. Palanca Street Quiapo, 039 Brgy. 386, Manila.
In the said letter, Ang gave the center’s operators, Zernan C. Canonigo and Dr. Noval Santos, three days to explain why no charges should be filed against them for infractions of the law.
Ang cited violation of Republic Act No. 9003, or “An Act Providing For An Ecological Solid Waste Management Program,” for disposing several pieces of used rapid test kits without the required proper disposal and transport of such test kits that may pose potential harm to the health of the community in general.
“This is not compliant with the mandate of the DENR on the waste management of hazardous waste,” the letter stated.
Ang said the establishment has to explain its violation of Republic Act No. 6969, or the “Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Waste Control Act of 1990”.
Ang stressed that a uses rapid medical test kit is “considered as biohazard and infectious waste because it contains infectious materials (blood extracted). Mishandling and littering of such imposes threat and danger to the wellbeing of the public. These used test kits must be placed in puncture-proof container with 10 percent Chlorox prior to its disposal.”
Bureau of Permits chief Levi Facundo said that failure on the part of the said establishment to answer in writing the said ‘show cause order’ within the required period from receipt of the order will be considered as a waiver on their part to be heard. When this happens, Facundo said the case shall be decided on the basis of the records of his office.
Moreno meanwhile posted on Facebook the protocols for the proper disposal of hazardous wastes for the guidance of those who may be operating businesses relative to such wastes.
The mayor stressed that hazardous waste disposal is done through DENR-accredited contractors who will take charge of the treatment, storage and disposal of such wastes, ensuring that they are properly handled and treated before final disposal.
Moreno said that the proper disposal of hazardous or infectious wastes is a requirement that needs to be strictly followed for any concerned establishment to be granted by the Department of Health a license to operate.
