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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Don't worry, proper handling of vaccine-related waste already in place–DENR

Don't worry, proper handling of vaccine-related waste already in place–DENR

Published Mar 25, 2021 07:27 pm

Even before the arrival of vaccines, the country actually knows the proper handling of vaccine-related waste, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said.

DENR Undersecretary Benny D. Antiporda (PIA / MANILA BULLETIN)

In fact, guidelines and procedures for the proper disposal of medical vials and syringes used for coronavirus vaccine injections were already established in 2020, according to DENR Undersecretary Benny D. Antiporda .

Since then, he said 53 transporters and 23 treatment, storage and disposal (TSD) facilities have been registered nationwide. These transporters and TSD facilities receive the healthcare wastes from hospitals for safe transport, treatment and disposal.

"We have already laid down the guidelines ever since the lockdown started last year, and one of the requirements in the memo is to monitor the healthcare wastes coming from healthcare institutions as well as COVID-19 Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) -designated quarantine facilities," said Antiporda.

The existing guidelines on managing hazardous waste are stated in the DENR-Environmental Management Bureau memorandum circulars 2020-14, 2020-15 and 2020-16 on the issuance of Special Permit to Transport for the treatment and disposal of healthcare wastes.

Under the memorandum circulars, syringes and vials used for inoculation are classified as hazardous waste and require special permit for transport. These hazardous wastes are also treated by the DENR-registered service providers before disposal.

Antiporda, who heads the department’s Solid Waste Management and Local Government Units Concerns, said that the DENR is also following the standards set by the Asian Development Bank under its Due Diligence on the Philippine COVID-19 Immunization Waste Management Plan.

He noted that in addition to the existing guidelines, the DENR will also issue a memorandum to highlight the disposal of the vaccines based on the existing laws and mandates "to avoid confusion and misinterpretation."

"We want to assure every Filipino that we are doing our job in the DENR for the proper disposal of the vials and syringes for the government's immunization program so that we can do our part to mitigate the spread of the deadly virus," Antiporda said. 

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