PHILSTAR

THE NATIONAL Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC) is partnering with the Department of Transportation to manage medical waste such as face masks in all public transport vehicles in the country.

“We need to properly segregate and dispose of these potentially contaminated masks, whether these are from our households or these were used while commuting, to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019),” Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu, who chairs the NSWMC, said in a statement.

Under NSWMC Resolution No. 1469, the Transport department is tasked to install yellow bins and bags in all transport vehicles in the aviation, maritime, and railways sectors for the proper storage of waste generated amid the pandemic.

The Environment department also directed the strict monitoring of health care waste from international aircraft and cruise ships.

“Personal protective equipment such as face masks will never go away in the near future,” Environment Undersecretary Benny D. Antiporda said. 

“We need to do something about the growing number of these household health care wastes so it doesn’t contaminate waterways at main thoroughfares,” he added. 

In December, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources proposed a P181.6-million budget for the establishment of a preliminary treatment and storage facility for COVID-related medical waste. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson

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