Heaps of yellow garbage bags were found dumped by the roadside in Tabogon town, northern Cebu.

The items were found early morning on June 24, 2025, at the roadside in Barangay Libjo.

Upon inspection, the yellow garbage bags contained collection tubes for blood sample, dialysis tubing, pieces of syringe, among other medical waste.

Authorities launched immediately an investigation on the incident.

“Delikado, kay kompleto man gud, naay mga dugo, lain-lain lang klase mga needles, kanang gigamit gyud sa ospital so mao nang among gipasubay gyud. Assuming samples gyud ni sa mga dugo or any specimen nga naay sakit or infectious disease mao nag-coordinate ko sa PNP [Philippine National Police]," Tabogon Mayor Francis Salimbangon said.

In an initial investigation, the municipal government said it is possible that the medical waste came from a diagnostic clinic in adjacent Bogo City.

The Municipal Council has also set an investigation to summon persons to shed light on the incident.

“Naay tulo ka tawo nga niduol, atong na-istorya wala paman sila niingon nga niangkon. Ato pa ni gi-investigate, so for now ato gipasubay, gipa-attend nako karong Friday [June 27, 2025] sa session sa mga SB [Sangguniang Bayan] members,” Salimbangon added.

Further, Salimbangon pointed out that there were previous incidents of indiscriminate dumping of waste in their town but those were more of upholstery waste.

The medical waste, he said, has alarmed the community, most especially that the area is in the vicinity of two schools.  

“Ako giingnan ang PNP nga ipa-monitor lang sa among MHU [Municipal Health Unit] office ug RHU [Rural Health Unit] assist-tan sila unsaon pag-handle sa waste aron dili ta simbako madisgrasya, matusok, wa ta kahibaw,” Salimbangon further said.

The Local Government Unit of Tabogon is determined to file a case against the culprits.

Meanwhile, the City Government of Bogo issued an official statement on the incident on June 25, 2025. 

“We have just secured a copy of the incident report. We are currently coordinating with Tabogon officials to be furnished with a copy of their investigation report to sufficiently identify the responsible establishment,” the statement read.

“Once the clinic is identified, we shall be giving show cause order for them to explain their side,” it added.