Healthcare Waste Project Brings Awareness-Raising and Capacity-Building Activities To Cagayan de Oro City, Celebrates #PlasticFreeJuly

As part of its continuing awareness-raising and capacity-building efforts in Mindanao, following successful engagements at CARAGA Regional Hospital (CRH) in Surigao City and Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) in Davao City, the Philippine Healthcare and Mercury Wastes Management Project (HCWM Project) conducted a series of activities in Cagayan de Oro City from June 30 to July 3, 2026, marking its third leg in Mindanao.

The HCWM Project aims to strengthen healthcare waste management systems in the Philippines, with a particular focus on reducing the release and emission of toxic substances. It is implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in partnership with the DENR-EMB, with BAN Toxics serving as the executing entity. The project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

On June 30, the HCWM Project team, together with Nurse Susie, visited Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC) as part of the Toxics-Free Hospitals Campaign, an advocacy initiative that promotes proper healthcare waste management, minimizes reliance on single-use plastics, and encourages the adoption of safe, reusable alternatives in healthcare facilities.

Nurse Susie is the project’s official mascot to promote the 4Cs framework, which encourages: Changing old habits through proper waste segregation and mindful consumption; Cutting plastics use by reducing reliance on single-use plastic products; Committing to reuse by choosing reusable alternatives; and Championing sustainability by promoting environmentally sound practices and technologies in healthcare facilities and communities.

From July 1–2, the HCWM project conducted a capacity-building training for NMMC hospital personnel, providing participants with a refresher on national healthcare waste management standards and tools for strategic hospital planning aligned with the project’s objectives. Serving as resource persons were Rasheila Yanina Antasuda, Senior Environmental Management Specialist of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) Central Office, Clement Vanrich Monreal of the Department of Health-Health Facility Development Bureau (DOH-HFDB), Engr. Dahn Suan of the DENR-EMB Region 10, and Ar. Nikko Alberto Araña of the DOH Region 10. 

On July 3, in celebration of International Plastic Bag Free Day and #PlasticFreeJuly, the HCWM Project brought its advocacy beyond healthcare facilities and into the community through an awareness activity at the Cagayan de Oro City Ecopark. Together with Nurse Susie, the activity promoted plastic-free and zero-waste practices under the 4Cs framework. Around 120 local government employees and members of waste picker organizations participated in interactive discussions on reusable alternatives and proper waste management.

The community activity formed part of the HCWM Project’s broader efforts to encourage behavioral change and empower local communities to reduce plastic waste in support of public health and environmental protection.

The urgency of these efforts is clear. A 2025 waste audit conducted by the HCWM project found that plastics accounted for more than 70% of the total waste generated in three partner hospitals in Region II, National Capital Region (NCR), and Region VIII.