The document is a chapter from a research paper on the liquid waste disposal management of Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu, Philippines. [1] The chapter introduces the topic, noting that hospitals produce various liquid wastes that must be disposed of properly to avoid environmental hazards. It then states the research questions about how the hospital manages, processes, and disposes of waste, and how staff perceive the importance of proper disposal. [2] The chapter reviews literature on liquid waste treatment methods, hospital waste categories, and a previous study on staff attitudes towards waste management in India. This information provides context and guidance for the current study. [3] The methodology section describes the phenomenological research

1. 宿 务 亚 典 耀 圣 心 学 校
SACRED HEART SCHOOL – ATENEO de CEBU
H. Abellana Street, Canduman, Mandaue City
Senior High School Department
A phenomenological study on the liquid waste disposal management of Vicente Sotto
Memorial Medical Center
Dan Rafi Jeshmar D. Cuay
Kent Lance P. Garapan
Vince Therese O. Miralles
Grade 11 – Sapientia
In Partial Fulfillment of the requirements for Research in Daily Life 1, Earth Science, and
General Chemistry 1
Research Advisers:
Mr. Jomar B. Abellana
Mrs. Manilyn Piloton-Narca

2. Chapter 1
THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE
Rationale
Hospitals are known to utilize and hold various substances, may it be liquid, solid,
and gas. These substances are utilized for medications, special treatments, or for various
medical purposes. These substances may possibly be chemicals that are toxic, dangerous,
and human liquid waste. These liquid substances undergo particular processes for their
proper disposal. If these disposal processes are not being executed properly, then there are
possible effects that can be very hazardous to the environment and living beings. The harm
of these substances to the environment may range to the land occupants, natural resources,
and the marine life.
When you talk about liquid waste, these wastes come from many different sources.
These liquids may be in the form of oil, chemicals, wastewater, used oil, leftover food liquid,
and many more. In an ordinary household, these liquids are just disposed directly through
the drain and down to the sewer where it is released. Knowing that hospitals hold various
kinds of liquid waste, its exposure to the environment, especially to the sea, may give way
to water pollution. The liquid substances that these hospitals hold may be hazardous
chemicals, acids, and the like. If these are not disposed properly, together with their
treatments and processes, these substances may bring harm to the environment and its
occupants. In medical facilities, there are certain personnel who are responsible for the

3. disposal of wastes and its management. These people are tasked to dispose the waste,
properly, together with its proper processes.
The researchers are interested in how the staffs of Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical
Centre act towards their liquid waste disposal. Since VSMMC is a public hospital, it follows
that there are many liquid substances being utilized and being disposed as well.
Statement of the Problem
The research study aims to answer and clarify these questions:
1.) How do these hospitals manage, process, and dispose their waste?
2.) How do the hospital personnel perceive and/or understand the
disposal process of liquid waste?
3.) How do the managers supervise the disposal of liquid waste in the
hospital?
4.) What is their understanding of the significance and importance of a
proper liquid waste disposal?

4. Statement of Assumptions
Statement: “If Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center is the oldest public hospital
in Cebu, then they would utilize more liquid substances.
Assumptions:
I. Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Centre is a public hospital,
which means that it is owned by the government.
II. Public hospitals are more open to the majority, therefore, more
liquid waste is produced and to be disposed.
Significance of the Study
The study will be a significant endeavor in promoting responsible waste disposal in
the hospitals and to the people. Knowing the common perception and attitude of the
hospital staff towards liquid waste disposal will motivate the readers to improve their own
attitude towards their waste disposal.
This study will also be beneficial to the readers who may be handling chemicals in
their household.

5. Definition of Terms
The following terms are used in discussion the research study:
Pollutants – a substance or chemical that pollutes the ecosystem
Pollution – the negative change in the environment when it is contaminated by pollutants
Disposal – to throw or get rid of something
Waste – a substance that is no longer usable or no longer being used
Waste Management – the organization and treatment of wastes
Environment –comprises of all living and non-living things on Earth
Ecosystem – biological community and their physical environment

6. Chapter 2
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
In today’s society garbage disposal is starting to get less attention and compliance. It
is visible today that people don’t even think twice about where there trash goes. There is
garbage in the streets, canals and even in the oceans or seas. The effects of these careless
human acts are responsible for the clogged drainages and have also added to majority of
the Earth’s water pollution. Furthermore, hospitals are big establishments that handle
various chemicals and liquid substances. These chemicals and liquid substances may be
hazardous to the environment when it is disposed irresponsibly. From what we have read
in different sources and literatures, these hospital chemicals and liquid substances are a
possible factor that may contribute to the contamination of the water.
“Waste management is collection, transportation, and disposal of garbage, sewage,
and other waste products.” (What is Waste Management and Methods of Waste Disposal? -
Conserve Energy Future, 2016) In our own understanding, waste management is an
efficient and safe manner where you dispose of the waste safely. There are many ways in
which a person can dispose his/her wastes. In the context of liquid waste treatment and
disposal, there are 7 ways in treating the liquid wastes. (Methods of Liquid Waste
Treatment) According to Rensselaer, the treatment of the wastes aims to remove the
organic material, human pathogens, and toxic chemicals from the liquid. These 7 methods
in treating liquid wastes are aimed to remove toxic chemicals, organic pollutants, and the
bacteria and viruses in the liquid waste. (Methods of Liquid Waste Treatment) Therefore,
when the liquid wastes are being processed for its disposal, they are being treated so as to

7. not be hazardous when it is disposed. Knowing this information has given us a general
overview towards the definition of waste management and disposal. Furthermore, it has
given us an idea on what liquid waste management does to the given liquid waste.
According to PARN, hospital waste is managed by categories (Human anatomical
waste, animal waste, Microbiology and biotechnology waste, sharps, medicines and
cytotoxic drugs, solid waste, liquid waste, incineration ash, chemical waste). For example
animal waste is either incinerated or buried deep in the ground. Another is chemical waste;
it is first sent to chemical treatment and then sent to a secured landfill for disposal. (Malik,
2007). According to an article in Muller Journal of Medical Sciences and Research, liquid
biomedical wastes pose a serious threat to human and environmental health because of
their ability to enter watersheds, water reservoirs which are sources of drinking water, and
groundwater reservoirs. (Biswal, 2013) When the liquid wastes contaminate the water,
especially the drinking water reservoirs, the health of the consumer will be at high risk.
Contaminated drinking water may cause diseases like cholera, plague, tuberculosis,
hepatitis B, diphtheria, etc. These diseases can pose grave health risks to the public and
may also have grave consequences. (Biswal, 2013) Reading these online articles about
hospital liquid waste and its management has given us a better understanding towards
liquid waste management in hospitals. Furthermore, the information read has given us
guidance in our research study.
The research of the Indian Journal of Occupation & Environmental Medicine
conducted a research about the staff of the hospitals of Bangalore city, India. This research
yielded a result of “82.6% of attendees said that it is necessary to segregate waste into
different categories at the point of origin, 61.5% of auxiliaries strongly disagreed that

8. segregation of waste at source increases the risk of injury to waste handlers”. (Staff's
attitude regarding hospital waste management in the dental college hospitals of, 2012) This
information shows that majority of the attendees’ complies for the segregation of waste in
India. However, there are some staff members in some hospitals that don’t really see the
importance of proper waste management. This tells us that maybe some of the hospitals in
Cebu would not exactly comply with the proper way in segregating and disposing the
waste.
This research will be based from a research conducted by Sushma Rudraswamy,
Naganandini Sampath, and Nagabhushana Doggalli. Their researched is titled: “Staff’s
attitude regarding hospital waste management in the dental college hospitals of Bangalore
city, India”. Since our research is similar to theirs, we will use their research paper as a
basis and a guide for our study. From the gathered literatures, we have known the basic
information about hospital wastes, especially the liquid wastes. Furthermore, the
information that we have learned though the various readings has enlightened us
regarding the topic of liquid wastes. This gives us a guide on the questions that we will ask
our interviewees from Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.

9. Chapter 3
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
This chapter presents the methodology of the processes involved during the
research process. This chapter composes of the: (1) research design, (2) research
environment, (3) research respondents, (4) research instruments, (5) data gathering
procedure, (6) data analyses. Each part of the methodology is explained thoroughly in each
section below.
Research Design
The researchers have decided on the phenomenological approach as they will be
focused on the perceptions and experiences of the hospital staff. “A phenomenology is the
direct investigation and description of phenomena as consciously experienced, without
theories about their causal explanations or their objective reality. It therefore seeks to
understand how people construct meaning.” (PHENOMENOLOGY - Faculty of Health &
Human Sciences) This study uses phenomenology so as to grasp the perceptions of the
hospital staff on how they dispose and manage their liquid wastes. A phenomenological
study focuses on the person’s experience towards a certain phenomenon. Therefore, this
approach is appropriate for a study that is aimed to understand the perception, attitude,
and experience of Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center’s staff towards liquid waste
disposal.

10. Research Environment
The researchers chose to conduct their research in Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical
Center. This hospital is located at B. Rodriguez St., Cebu City, Philippines. Vicente Sotto is
the oldest public hospital in Cebu City. “Vicente Sotto is a general, tertiary medical center
teaching/training medical facility owned by the Philippines Government. It aims to provide
health care services that are available, affordable, accessible, and acceptable to all
regardless of social status.” (VSMMC) Given its availability to the public, it gives an
assumption that there are many patients in the hospital. The hospital’s operation started as
early as 1911. Thus, the hospital has been providing their medical health care services for
over a hundred years already. Given the number of years that they have been operating,
this serves as a basis of choosing this hospital rather than the other hospitals. The
researchers assume that since it has been providing health care services for many years,
then it is familiar and preferred to the public. This hospital is also a government hospital
therefore it is more open to the public. As it is more open to the public, there are more
patients and there are more substances being utilized. Given these reasons, the researchers
have chosen to conduct the research in Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.

11. Research Respondents
The respondents of this research will be the staff responsible of the waste
management in Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center. Since they are tasked to handle
and manage the waste disposal, the researchers believe that they can provide an in-depth
experience. Their familiarity towards the disposal can provide the researchers thorough
and comprehensive answers to the given questions.
Research Instruments
The researchers will use an interview questionnaire for the respondents to answer.
This questionnaire will serve as a guideline for the researchers to ask the respondents;
follow-up questions will be added, if necessary. To ensure a clear interpretation of the data,
the researchers will record the audio of the interview, if permitted by the interviewee. The
audio recording will then be transcribed, and analyzed.
Data Gathering Procedures
The researchers will compose a letter asking permission from Vicente Sotto
Memorial Medical Center for an appointment. Once there is an agreed appointment, the
researchers will interview the respondents. The researchers will ask the respondents if it is
acceptable to record the interview. After the interview is done, the researchers will
transcribe the data and analyze the interview session.

12. Data Analyses
After the interview has been conducted, the researchers will analyze the transcribed
data. The researchers will analyze thoroughly the answers of the respondents. The
transcriptions will be organized thematically for an organized understanding if the
answers. In line with a phenomenological approach, the researchers will focus on the
experiences and the perception of the respondents.

13. References
Biswal, S. (2013, September 16). Liquid biomedical waste management: An emerging
concern for physicians Biswal S - Muller J Med Sci Res. Retrieved September 25, 2016, from
Muller Journal of Medical Sciences and Research:
http://www.mjmsr.net/article.asp?issn=0975-
9727;year=2013;volume=4;issue=2;spage=99;epage=106;aulast=Biswal#top
Dextrose: Indications, Side Effects, Warnings - Drugs.com. (2016, 8 8). Retrieved 8 11, 2016,
from Drugs: https://www.drugs.com/cdi/dextrose.html
Healthline - Dextrose. (2005). Retrieved 8 11, 2016, from Healthline:
http://www.healthline.com/health/dextrose#Overview1
List of Philhealth-Accredited Hospitals in Cebu City. (2011, November 2). Retrieved 9 25,
2016, from Health Philippines: http://www.healthphilippines.net/2011/11/list-of-
philhealth-accredited-hospitals-in-cebu-city/
Malik, F. R. (2007). Hospital Waste Management. Retrieved 8 11, 2016, from Pakistan
Antimicrobial Resistance Network:
http://www.parn.org.pk/index_files/HOSPITALWASTE.html
Mandate and Functions: About Us. (2014). Retrieved 9 25, 2016, from Phil Health:
https://www.philhealth.gov.ph/about_us/mandate.html
Methods of Liquid Waste Treatment. (n.d.). Retrieved September 28, 2016, from Rensselaer:
https://www.rpi.edu/dept/chem-eng/Biotech-Environ/FUNDAMNT/streem/methods.htm

14. PHENOMENOLOGY - Faculty of Health & Human Sciences. (n.d.). Retrieved September 29,
2016, from http://www.health.herts.ac.uk/immunology/Web%20programme%20-
%20Researchhealthprofessionals/phenomenology.htm
Staff's attitude regarding hospital waste management in the dental college hospitals of.
(2012, May-August). Retrieved 8 10, 2016, from Europepmc.org:
http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3617512
VSMMC. (n.d.). Retrieved September 22, 2016, from VSMMC:
http://vsmmc.doh.gov.ph/index.php
What is Waste Management and Methods of Waste Disposal? - Conserve Energy Future.
(2016). Retrieved September 25, 2016, from Conserve Energy Future:
http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/waste-management-and-waste-disposal-
methods.php

15. APPENDICES
Transmittal Letter
Dan Rafi Jeshmar D. Cuay
Address
September 30, 2016
The Director / CEO
Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Centre
B. Rodriguez St., Cebu City, Philippines
Dear Sir:
Greetings! I am a student from Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu, enrolled in a
Research Course. In behalf of my research group, I write this letter asking for permission to
interview selected staff. As part of our requirements in Research in Daily Life 1 Course, we
are making a research study on how certain establishments perform their waste disposal
procedures, specifically the liquid wastes. We are planning to conduct interviews to the
staff that are in-charge of the waste disposal management in your hospital. In line with this,
I would like to ask your office to allow us to interview the said personnel. Our research
study is focused on the perceptions, experiences, and attitudes towards proper liquid waste
disposal management. We assure you that whatever information we will gather from our
respondents, it will remain confidential.
If our request be granted, we will go to your establishment to meet the personnel at your
most convenient time. We hope you will consider our kind request. Your support to our
plight will surely help us in this requirement that we need wish to comply and accomplish.
We hope to hear from your office soon. You may contact me through e-mail:
vincethereseom@gmail.com Thank you for your time.
Respectfully yours,
Dan Rafi Jeshmar D. Cuay

16. Research Instrument
Interview Questionnaire
Sample Interview Paper
Name: ________________________________________________________
Date & Time of Interview: ________________________________________________________
Place of Interview: ________________________________________________________
Position in the Hospital: ________________________________________________________
Tell me about your experiences in the waste management.
Please describe for me your approach towards the waste disposal procedures? (Specifically
for the liquid wastes)
What do you think of these waste disposal procedures? Do you follow them keenly or are
there times in which these disposal procedures are not thoroughly followed?
What are the types of liquid wastes are usually being disposed in the hospital?

17. Timetable of Activities
Proposed Budget
Transportation & Gas – Php 500.00
Printing of Documents – Php 250.00
Representation Expense – Php 500.00
Miscellaneous – Php 200.00
Total Expenses – Php 1450.00
10-May-1630-May-1619-Jun-16 9-Jul-16 29-Jul-1618-Aug-16 7-Sep-16 27-Sep-1617-Oct-16
Looking for Researchable Topics
Gathering of Literature
Making of Chapter 1
Gathering of More Literature
Making of Chapter 2
Gathering of More Literature
Making of Chapter 3
Task Start Date EndDate Duration
Lookingfor
ResearchableTopics
30-Jun-16 10-Jul-16 10
Gatheringof
Literature
12-Jul-16 28-Jul-16 16
MakingofChapter1 30-Jul-16 5-Aug-16 6
GatheringofMore
Literature
6-Aug-16 10-Aug-16 4
MakingofChapter2 11-Aug-16 27-Aug-16 16
GatheringofMore
Literature
28-Aug-16 5-Sep-16 8
MakingofChapter3 6-Sep-16 30-Sep-16 24

18. Curriculum Vitae
Vince Therese O. Miralles
Home Address: Lamac, Consolacion, Cebu, Philippines
ContactNumber: 09234247563 (Mobile)
E-mail Address: vincethereseom@gmail.com
EducationalAttainment:
June 2008 – Present Paref Southcrest School
Kindergarten
Governor Cuenco Ave., Banilad, Cebu City 6000,
Philippines
June 2006 – March 2007 Colegio de la Immaculada Concepcion
Grade 1
Mt. Manunggal Street, Mandaue City, 6014
June 2007 – Present Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu
Grade School – Senior High School Education (Grade
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa2 – Grade 11)
H. Abellana St. Canduman, Mandaue City, Philippines
Kent Lance P. Garapan
Home Address: 317 Cattleya St., Greenhills Subdv.,
Casuntingan, Mandaue City, Cebu 6000
ContactNumber: 09238152293(Mobile)
E-mail Address: goandbethejerk@gmail.com
EducationalAttainment:
June 2003 – March 2008 Royal Oaks International School
Nursery- Kindergarten – Grade 1 Education (Nursery
1– Grade 1)
V. Rama Ave., Guadalupe, Cebu City, Philippines
June 2007 – Present Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu
Grade School – Senior High School Education (Grade
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa2 – Grade 11)
H. Abellana St. Canduman, Mandaue City, Philippines

19. Dan Rafi Jeshmar D. Cuay
Home Address: Pusok, Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines
ContactNumber: 09432945543(Mobile)
E-mail Address: Dandiegas@yahoo.com
EducationalAttainment:
June 2005 – March 2007 Collegio del Santo Nino
Kindergarten
Magallanes St., Cebu City, Philippines
June 2007 – Present Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu
Grade School – Senior High School Education
(Present)
H. Abellana St. Canduman, Mandaue City, Philippines