Waste Workers Health and Welfare Act of 2025

Ohio ella. '19. TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES JUL 15 P2:13 First Regular Session RICEN SENATE S. No. - Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE WASTE WORKERS' HEALTH AND WELFARE PROGRAM EXPLANATORY NOTE

Section 18, Article Il of the Constitution provides that the State affirms labor

as a primary social economic force. It shall protect the rights of workers and promote their welfare, which shall include all workers including waste workers. Waste workers are a critical part of the waste management system. They are at the forefront of ensuring cleanliness in public spaces, which primarily prevent the spread of diseases and in helping maintain overall orderliness. Most importantly, they are one of the main environmental protectors. Unfortunately, these workers are often exposed to dirt and at the same time, to diseases. In addition, they are associated with low social status and are often marginalized from mainstream society. To help them, this bill seeks to mandate the Department of Labor and Employment to establish and administer the Waste Workers' Health and Welfare Program. This will provide health coverage and benefits, occupational safety training, personal protective equipment to the waste workers, educational assistance to waste workers and their dependents, and financial assistance. Therefore, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. MARK A. VILLAR ' RDC

Tiftor ot 1: JUL 15 P2:13 TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session RECEN L SENATE 5. No. 648 Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE WASTE WORKERS' HEALTH AND WELFARE PROGRAM Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Waste Workers' Health and

Welfare Act of 2025."

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to promote the health,

safety, and welfare of waste workers in the Philippines through the establishment of a comprehensive program that provides benefits, education, and training, and ensures access to proper equipment and facilities, in recognition of the critical role they play in maintaining the country's cleanliness and sustainability.

Sec. 3. Definition of Waste Worker- For the purpose of this Act, "Waste worker"

9 refers to any person engaged in the collection, transportation, processing, and disposal of solid waste, and includes, but is not limited to, garbage collectors, waste pickers, recyclers, and landfill and dumpsite workers.

Sec. 4. Waste Workers' Health and Welfare Program. - The Department of Labor

and Employment (DOLE) shall establish and administer the Waste Workers' Health and Welfare Program, designed to safeguard and promote the rights and welfare of waste workers in the Philippines, which shall include the following components:

a) Registration and Monitoring System - A system for the registration of waste workers, necessary for them to be covered under this Program. b) Health Coverage and Benefits - A package of healthcare benefits, including free annual check-ups, vaccinations, and hospitalization assistance, in partnership with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). c) Occupational Safety Training - The provision of regular training programs on methods, techniques, and the proper use of personal protective equipment to minimize the risks associated with waste handling. d) Personal Protective Equipment - The mandatory provision to waste workers of suitable and adequate personal protective equipment free of charge by their employers or agencies. e) Educational Assistance - The facilitation of access to educational assistance programs and scholarship grants for waste workers and their dependents. f) Financial Assistance - The institution of a loan program under the auspices of the Department, in collaboration with qualified financial institutions, to provide waste workers with low-interest loans for housing, emergency situations, or the establishment of sustainable livelihood businesses.

Sec. 4. Funding. - The necessary funding for the implementation of the Waste

Workers' Health and Welfare Program shall be allocated from the annual General 20 Appropriations Act (GAA). The DOLE may also accept and utilize grants, donations, contributions, or other forms of assistance, subject to existing laws, rules, and regulations.

Sec. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DOLE, in consultation with

relevant stakeholders and other government agencies, shall promulgate and publish the necessary implementing rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this law.

Sec. 6. Separability Clause. - Any portion or provisions of this Act that may be

declared unconstitutional or invalid and shall not have the effect of nullifying other 29 portions or provisions hereof as long as such remaining portions or provisions can still 30 subsist and be given effect in their entirety.

Sec. 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,

memoranda, circulars, and other issuances, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved,