Syringes and medical waste are found on a beach in Toledo City, western Cebu. Local residents are worried about the dangers these syringes pose to them. | Photo courtesy of Manisa Barbadillo
CEBU CITY, Philippines— Usually we see plastic wrappers among many other ocean wastes washed up ashore.
Imagine the horror of a resident in Toledo City when she saw not just plastic wastes but used syringes on a beach in this western Cebu locality.
Manisa Barbadillo, found a number of used syringes washed ashore in Matab-ang Beach, Toledo City on January 25, 2021.
She, together with her partner, was doing their usual beach clean-up routine when they found the used syringes on the shore.
“We didn’t take it seriously at first…but on February 4, when I found more (syringes), my partner said we will keep it and we will report it to the barangay and even the mayor,” said Barbadillo.
On February 19, Barbadillo and her partner have collected a total of 120 syringes.
According to Barbadillo, one fisherman had been injured after accidentally stepping on a syringe needle in the sand.
“It’s even more alarming because we don’t know where it’s coming from,” she added.
Barbadillo and other residents in the area are hoping that this will be investigated by their local government unit to keep their shores and beaches safe for beachgoers.
The collected used syringes are still with the couple as of this posting. /rcg