Slum dwellers buck TESDA plan to train garbage collectors

MANILA, Philippines - A plan of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to train and certify garbage collectors is facing opposition from slum dwellers in Metro Manila.

It could lead to loss of livelihood for many residents in depressed communities who would pick up garbage as a source of income, according to the group KADAMAY.

“Rather than give dignity to the job of collecting garbage, the TESDA course is an insult to slum dwellers and garbage collectors who are all wishing to have other jobs than picking up garbage,” KADAMAY secretary-general Carlito Badion said in a statement.

Their members picking up garbage in Montalban landfill fear that the TESDA course would eventually lead to a ban against working in sanitary landfills without the necessary certification, Badion said.

“Many of those who are picking up garbage in sanitary landfills cannot afford to undergo skills training and secure certification,” he said.

No parent would like to enroll their child in garbage collection and sanitary landfill operation courses, nor are there people wishing to become garbage collectors after undergoing training, Badion said.

TESDA is offering training regulations on courses of garbage collection and sanitary landfill operations to enable proper waste collection and safe garbage disposal.

Graduates would be assessed and certified after undergoing training.