A diver and his group that conducts a regular clean-up drive at Anilao, Batangas observed that more medical wastes were dumped in the dive sites.
“Three months ago, hindi pa masyado, pero now it’s being more and more visible. We’re seeing it everywhere na in the dive sites in Anilao,” diver Mark Badialo said in an interview with ABS-CBN News.
“In Anilao alone, I think there’s over 200 dive sites and when we took the video, we just did two dive sites, and there are so many masks in two dive sites so just imagine ‘yong mga dive sites na hindi pa namin napupuntahan,” he added.
Divers are said to be worried and saddened that the garbage problem in the ocean could get worse.
“Nakaka-guilty siya and sad at the same time kasi ano na lang ‘yong makikita ng future generations ‘pag ganito ‘yong situation natin ngayon?” said diver Shala Caliao.
Environmental group Greenpeace warns that not only marine life is affected by underwater wastes but also humans.
It is also said to have a long-term effect.
More medical wastes observed in Batangas dive sites
“When they break down, it can actually end up being microplastics na makakain ng mga isda or other marine creatures, and that enters our food chain,” explained Marian Ledesma, zero waste campaigner from Greenpeace Philippines.
So the group also called on the public to use a reusable mask if they are not always exposed to the virus like health care workers.
According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), they expect medical waste to increase especially now that the number of COVID-19 cases in the country is increasing again.
The agency also admitted that the problem is in the disposal of waste.
“Dito sa Metro Manila ‘yong mga urban areas natin, mayroon tayong mga facility wherein puwede nating i-treat at i-dispose itong mga facemask, but in other areas like mga probinsiya, wala naman silang facility diyan,” said Environment Undersecretary Jonas Leones.
The DENR can recommend that the public only use reusable or cloth masks but they cannot make it mandatory.