By Rjay Zuriaga Castor
The provincial government of Antique has turned over a PHP29.96 million thermal decomposition machine to Angel Salazar Memorial General Hospital (ASMGH) to improve hospital waste management.
The machine can process up to 5,000 kilograms of medical waste daily and reduce the volume by as much as 90 percent.
It operates using pyrolysis, a thermal process that breaks down waste at high temperatures in an oxygen-limited environment, minimizing harmful emissions.
“This is our best solution to address our ongoing problem in managing hospital waste,” said Gov. Rhodora Cadiao.
She noted that the province spends PHP10 million to PHP15 million annually to haul hospital waste, and the new machine offers a more sustainable option.
In addition to the machine, the province turned over a PHP5 million waste facility and two six-wheeler trucks worth PHP5.03 million for transporting waste from six district hospitals to ASMGH.
The Antique Environment and Natural Resources Office (ENRO) led the procurement and turnover of the equipment.
ENRO officer Ma. Vivian Marfil said the facility is designed to run 24/7 but is awaiting an Environmental Compliance Certificate from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau.
Marfil added that residual waste from the machine will be tested before disposal at a sanitary landfill.
Cadiao also announced plans to procure similar machines for each of the province’s district hospitals to further improve waste management.
