KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato — The Provincial Government of South Cotabato continues to reinforce public health and environmental protection after recording the safe collection and treatment of 86, 949 kg of healthcare waste based in January 2026 record.
According to data released by the Office of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, a total of 32,754.06 kilograms of healthcare waste were collected while 86,949.06 kilograms were treated during the reporting period.
Seigfred Flaviano, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer, said the facility serves 36 accredited healthcare providers across the province, including hospitals, laboratories, clinics, and industries generating infectious and hazardous waste.
“All participating institutions maintain a Memorandum of Agreement with the South Cotabato Healthcare Waste Treatment Facility to ensure proper handling and disposal of regulated medical waste,” he reported during the Monday Convocation Program.
Healthcare waste, particularly infectious and hazardous materials, poses significant risks to public health and the environment if not managed properly.
According to the Department of Health, improper disposal of medical waste may lead to the spread of infections, contamination of water sources, and exposure of waste workers and communities to harmful substances.
“We also require strict compliance with environmental standards in the treatment and disposal of hazardous waste to prevent long term ecological damage,” he explained.
Flaviano said the January accomplishment reflects the sustained implementation of Governor Reynaldo S. Tamayo Jr.’s flagship environmental and public health protection program, which promotes accessible essential services while ensuring responsible environmental governance.
“By operating a centralized healthcare waste treatment facility, the province provides an efficient and regulated system that supports healthcare institutions in complying with national laws, including the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act and other environmental and public health regulations,” he stressed.
He emphasized that proper healthcare waste management is directly linked to community welfare.
Safe treatment prevents contamination, protects frontline health workers and waste handlers, and reduces risks to nearby communities, Flaviano said.
It also strengthens the province’s disaster and disease response capacity by ensuring that infectious waste is handled in a controlled and secure manner.
The Integrated Provincial Environmental Management Center is located in Barangay Tinongcop, Municipality of Tantangan.
The Provincial Government, through OPENRO, reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining partnerships with healthcare providers and continuously improving environmental management systems.
The province said it will continue to invest in programs that safeguard public health, uphold environmental standards, and deliver reliable public services to every community in South Cotabato.
