“We are not a dumpsite”
TACLOBAN CITY – Provincial officials in Leyte have expressed outrage and strong opposition to the reported transfer of hazardous medical waste from Mandaue City, Cebu to the province, describing the plan as unacceptable and lacking due coordination.
The concern stems from a report published by Cebu-based ‘The Freeman’ on July 9, which stated that Mandaue City Mayor Jonkie Ouano had personally overseen the collection of 301 drums of stockpiled medical waste from the old north bus terminal—now housing the city’s Environment and Natural Resources Office—for eventual transport to Leyte.
The waste, reportedly from the Mandaue City Hospital, was said to be bound for processing at Cleanway Environmental Management Solutions Inc. (CEMSI), a DENR-accredited hazardous waste treatment facility located within the Leyte Industrial Development Estate (LIDE) in Isabel, Leyte.
Atty. Carlo Loreto, board member representing Leyte’s 5th district, told Leyte Samar Daily Express via Facebook Messenger that no consent—express or implied—was given by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board) to allow the entry of such waste into the province.
“There was a complete lack of prior consultation or coordination with our office,” Loreto said. “Leyte must not be treated as a dumpsite for other LGUs.”
He cited Section 21 of the Leyte Environmental Code, which mandates prior informed consent from local government units for any activities or projects that may affect the province’s natural resources or public health.
First District Board Member Wilson Uy echoed the objections, questioning why Cebu’s hazardous waste should be shipped to Leyte at all—particularly given the absence of direct community engagement or an official risk assessment.
“Before any medical waste from Cebu is dumped at CEMSI in Isabel, we demand a thorough, on-site inspection of their incineration units, effluent treatment systems, and storage areas,” Uy wrote in an open letter addressed to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of Health (DOH), and other concerned agencies on Thursday, July 10.
Uy also revealed that he only learned about the planned shipment through media reports, adding that such critical matters should not be kept from local officials and the communities potentially affected.
“Let us remain vigilant and demand transparency—not just in reporting, but also in how hazardous waste is handled in our province,” Uy said. “Our environment and public health must come first. We will not settle for anything less than full accountability.”
In a statement posted on its official social media page, CEMSI said it is the country’s first fully-integrated hazardous waste treatment facility, offering services such as on-site waste collection, accredited transport, proper storage, certified treatment, and disposal.
CEMSI operates nationwide—in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao—and claims to maintain high standards of compliance with government regulations.
However, both DENR and DOH have yet to issue official statements responding to the concerns raised by Leyte officials.
(RONALD O. REYES, JAZMINE BONIFACIO)
