Manila, Sept. 3 -- Senator Loren Legarda has refiled in the 20th Congress a bill that seeks to standardize working conditions for waste workers, underscoring their crucial role in public health and environmental sustainability.

"There is an inherent risk our waste workers face when it comes to properly collecting and disposing of tons of garbage we produce every day," Legarda said in a news release.

"Although hazardous, many, if not most, face numerous challenges, such as safety hazards, low wages, lack of job security, and discrimination due to their jobs."

Waste workers will be defined as either formal, who are employed by government, private companies, or cooperatives, or informal, who are more commonly known as waste pickers or sca...