MANILA, Philippines — A bicycle with a sidecar accidentally dropped used rapid test kits along M. Dela Fuente Street in Sampaloc, Manila Tuesday night.
A video courtesy of Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso showed the rapid test kits being dropped from garbage bags carried in the sidecar near Trabajo Market.
In a statement on Wednesday, Moreno said he immediately ordered the Manila Department of Public Services (DPS) to dispose of the materials upon being informed of the scattered test kits on Tuesday night.
“We sent our DPS para linisin agad ‘yung kinalat na used rapid testing kit. Ang good news, at least alam nating hindi sinadya,” said Moreno.
(We immediately deployed DPS personnel to dispose of the used rapid test kits. The good news is, we know that it fell from the garbage bag unintentionally.)
Citing information from the Manila DPS, the city’s Public Information Office chief Julius Leonen told reporters in a text message that around 200 rapid test kits fell along the street.
Meanwhile, Moreno said the Manila City government and the Manila District Police are now investigating who was responsible for what he called “improper disposal” of the used test kits.
Moreno likewise warned of closure orders and complaints for improper waste management against clinics, laboratories, and businesses in the city that will fail to properly dispose of hazardous waste.