Health hazard feared over stinking hospital garbage in Bulacan

A hospital in Bulacan has been facing a garbage disposal problem for quite a while now, raising fears that its waste may pose a health hazard to students in a nearby university.

According to a report by GMA News’ Mariz Umali on Balitanghali on Wednesday, the stink of Bulacan Medical Center’s uncollected trash in Malolos has been pestering the nearby campus of Bulacan State University even during class hours.

“Dapat po aksyunan iyong problema sa basura kasi nakaka-distract po siya sa aming pag-aaral,” Chloe Sy Galita, one of the BSU students, said.

The yet to be collected hospital waste, stored in an area behind Bulacan Medical Center, is sealed in drums and plastic and placed inside container vans.

The hospital's management said the provincial government already tapped a third party contractor to address the trash problem.

"Naka-contract na, once or twice a week," said chief of hospital Dr. Protacio Bajao of the garbage collection.

However, he added, "Since last year, medyo dumalang ang paghahakot ng aming infectious waste."

“Minsan, once a month. Sa katagalan, hindi na maganda amoy,” he added.

The Bulacan Medical Center is one of the hospitals flagged by the Commission on Audit in its 2018 report for improper waste disposal. — Llanesca T. Panti/BM, GMA News