• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Victorias City Health Office (CHO) in Negros Occidental has issued a public clarification regarding photos circulating online that purportedly show poor waste management in one of its facility areas.
In a statement, it said the images were taken during an isolated security breach and do not reflect the facility’s current condition.
It explained that the location shown in the photos is a restricted, non-patient holding area designated for sorted facility waste awaiting scheduled collection by authorized haulers.
The area is situated behind a curtained hallway in a non-patient passageway and is separated from patient care sections to help protect visitors from potential health hazards, it added.
The CHO clarified that the holding area is undergoing planned renovations coordinated with the City Engineering Office.
It also stressed that the circulating photos were taken before recent structural improvements, including the installation of a permanent protective roof, were completed.
Regarding the disorganized waste shown in the images, the CHO attributed the condition to an unauthorized person who entered the restricted space and allegedly pulled out secured waste bags and overturned designated bins.
It said that personnel immediately cleaned, restored, and re-sorted the area after discovering the incident.
The CHO added that updated photos show the holding area in a clean and organized condition, with properly labeled segregation cages and sanitation protocols in place.
As part of its response, the CHO said it has strengthened security controls and access monitoring around restricted utility spaces to prevent similar incidents.
“We treat this isolated situation as a reminder to stay vigilant in serving our community,” the office said.
The Victorias CHO reaffirmed its commitment to complying with Department of Health guidelines and maintaining a safe, clean, and welcoming environment for residents and visitors. | GPB
