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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Camille Villar's bill looks after garbage collectors, waste workers 

Camille Villar's bill looks after garbage collectors, waste workers 

Published Feb 12, 2024 02:58 am

At A Glance

  • Deputy Speaker Las Piñas City lone district Rep. Camille Villar has filed House Bill (HB) No. 9806, or the proposed Waste Workers' Health and Welfare Act filed.
  • Waste workers refer to persons engaged in the collection, transportation, processing, and disposal of solid waste. These include garbage collectors, waste pickers, recyclers, and landfill and dumpsite workers.

IMG-68a9e386a05ba563f465aa47f9428d28-V.jpgDeputy Speaker Las Piñas City lone district Rep. Camille Villar (Rep. Villar's office)

Even garbage collectors and their fellow waste workers should enjoy protecting by law, especially when it comes to healthcare.

One potential law for the sector is House Bill (HB) No. 9806, or the proposed Waste Workers’ Health and Welfare Act filed by House Deputy Speaker Las Piñas City lone district Rep. Camille Villar.

Under the measure, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will be tasked to establish and administer the Waste Workers’ Health and Welfare program. It is designed to safeguard and promote the rights and welfare of waste workers in the country.

Waste workers refer to persons engaged in the collection, transportation, processing, and disposal of solid waste. These include garbage collectors, waste pickers, recyclers, and landfill and dumpsite workers.

“They play a vital role in solid waste management…and contribute greatly in protecting the environment. Despite their importance, waste workers are some of the most under-appreciated and unprotected workers,” Villar said.

The Nacionalista Party (NP) stalwart said the proposed Waste Workers’ Health and Welfare program wil provide waste workers with health coverage and benefits, occupational safety training, personal protective equipment, educational and financial assistance, and other benefits.

The program shall have a Registration and Monitoring System where the names of all waste workers in the country will be saved in a database for purposes of coverage under the program.

All beneficiaries shall be granted a package of healthcare benefits, including free annual check-ups, vaccinations, and hospitalization assistance, in partnership with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).

Regular training programs on methods, techniques, and the proper use of personal protective equipment to minimize the risks associated with waste handling shall also be made available to all beneficiaries, who will likewise be provided with suitable and adequate personal protective equipment free of charge by their employers or agencies.

Villar also proposed that waste workers and their dependents be given priority access to educational assistance programs and scholarship grants.

The DOLE, in collaboration with qualified financial institutions, shall also provide waste workers with low-interest loans for housing, emergency situations, or the establishment of sustainable livelihood businesses.

Related Tags

Camille Villar GARBAGE COLLECTOR waste workers
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