THE Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) 7 has initiated an investigation to determine if two Cebu-based private hospitals were involved in the disposal of medical waste off the coast of Lapu-Lapu City.

In a text message on Monday, January 7, EMB 7 director William Cuñado confirmed to SunStar Cebu that an investigation has been initiated to determine if the Chong Hua Hospital and another private hospital based in Mandaue City should be held liable for disposing their medical waste in the waters of Barangay Ibo, Lapu-Lapu City.

Cuñado confirmed he already sent a team to conduct the investigation.

During the weekend, a video posted by Cessna Zosa-Sarmiento on Facebook on Saturday, January 5, showing hospital waste such as syringes, rubber gloves, chemical bottles and others floating off Lapu-Lapu City’s coastline trended on social media.

READ: Medical waste drifts in Lapu-Lapu

In a statement sent to SunStar Cebu, representatives of Chong Hua Hospital said it has initiated an investigation on the hospital waste found in Lapu-Lapu City.

Hospital representatives claimed the proper disposal of their biohazard waste is outsourced to Davao City Environmental Care Inc., which is accredited with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

They vowed to closely work with DENR and other concerned agencies in its investigation on the incident.

“We intend to revisit our outsourcing processes and audit protocols to ensure the highest compliance to the DENR regulations and standards as well as protect the safety and welfare of the general public and our environment,” the statement said. (JKV)