15 MARCH 2021, MONDAY Headline STRATEGIC March 15, 2021 COMMUNICATION & Editorial Date INITIATIVES Column SERVICE 1 of 1 Opinion Page Feature Article
15 MARCH 2021, MONDAY Headline STRATEGIC March 15, 2021 COMMUNICATION & Editorial Date INITIATIVES Column SERVICE 1 of 1 Opinion Page Feature Article DENR chief ‘alarmed’ by discovery of discarded face masks in Anilao reef Published March 14, 2021, 7:56 PM by Ellson Quismorio The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has acknowledged Sunday, March 14 the environmental menace being created by improperly disposed household healthcare wastes during the persisting coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. “The recent discovery of disposable face masks, plastic face shields, and other household healthcare wastes in our reefs is alarming. These wastes will harm both marine life and divers,” Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu. Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, chief coronavirus disease (COVID-19) response implementor in the Viayas (NTF AGAINST COVID-19 / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) Cimatu was referring to the single-use face masks found entangled in the coral reefs of Anilao, Batangas. The DENR chief underscored that while it is vital to follow minimum public health protocols to curb the spread of new coronavirus, it is as important to be aware of each person’s responsibilities to the environment. Household healthcare wastes such as single-use face masks and COVID-19 test kits became commonplace at around this time last year when the new coronavirus first began to spread in the country. “We have coordinated with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to ensure that all international and inter-island vessels, and even fishing vessels, have placed yellow bins for the proper disposal and storage of generated COVID-19 related healthcare waste such as, used face masks, gloves, cottons, tissue papers, and testing kits,” Undersecretary for Solid Waste Management and Local Government Units (LGUs) Concerns Benny D.
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