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Garbage collector in Cavite tests positive for COVID-19, trash pick up delayed


A garbage collector in Cavite tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Undersecretary Benny Antiporda  on Wednesday said.

Interviewed on Dobol B sa News TV, Antiporda said they learned about it after receiving complaint that the collection of garbage in some areas was stopped.

“Ang naging katwiran sa atin, meron daw pong nag-positive sa kanilang garbage collector kung kaya medyo na-delay ‘yung pag-pick up noong mga mga basura,” he said.

Due to this, Antiporda advised garbage collection operators in private sector and local governments to provide personal protective equipment (PPEs) to the collectors as they are exposed to the virus.

“Ang sinasabi natin, lahat po, private man o local government-operated na garbage collection, e proteksyunan natin ang ating mga garbage collector,” he said.

“Pagsuotin natin ng PPE na parang nasa operating room din sila , na parang nasa  ER din sila dahil lahat po ng dumi sila ang sumasalo. Meron pong mga contaminated na nakokolekta silang basura,” he added.

The EcoWaste Coalition earlier urged the government to provide hazard pay for garbage collectors for the duration of the enhanced community quarantine.

It said garbage collectors, particularly those who are assigned to household waste and healthcare waste, face "heightened health and safety risks."

“Without their indispensable service, we may be faced with even more environmental and health hazards from uncollected waste,”  EcoWaste Coalition president Eileen Sison said.

Antiporda urged revisiting the law regarding the management of hazardous waste in light of the current related issues tied to the pandemic.

But for now, DENR will issue a memorandum for local governments about the matter.

He pointed out that most of the response at this point only covered patient management, treatment, and isolation, as well as distributing aid to affected households.

“Pero ‘yung hindi natin nakikita na basura, sige lang tayo ng sige. Sayang po ‘yung ginagawa nating quarantine, sayang ‘yung isolation sa tao kung ang basura natin ay hindi natin aasikasuhin,” he said.

While acknowledging their efforts to protect and provide relief for their constituents, Antiporda urged local governments to also give attention to proper waste management.

He warned that garbage not properly handled may turn into agent of virus transmission.

“Dyan rin po iikot yan. Dyan rin po dadaan ‘yan,” he said. —Joviland Rita/LDF, GMA News

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