Waste Collectors, Informal Economy Workers Gain Ground Through Social Protection

Now with a family of his own, Mark Angelo kept going, not just to provide but to ensure that his children will never have to suffer the same fate. 

“It is very dangerous. There are hazards we do not even think about,” Mark Angelo recalls.

“Sometimes we get into accidents, get injured, fall off the truck, or get caught on wires, sticks, and broken glass. The most painful part was when I was pricked by a stick, and it went through my hand, and a wire almost strangled my neck.”

Eventually, he became a palero, a garbage collector. The danger did not disappear but simply changed form. From handling waste with bare hands to dodging speeding vehicles, the risks became routine. For informal economy workers like Mark Angelo, peril is not an exception, but a means of survival.

As President of Palerong Manggagawa ng Payatas, an association of garbage collectors in Quezon City, Mark is determined to uplift his fellow workers. His motivation stems from personal experience.

When his mother passed away from a heart ailment, her contributions to the Social Security System (SSS) provided financial relief for him and his six siblings during their time of bereavement.

Later, when his wife gave birth to their first child, they faced steep hospital bills due to lack of coverage. But during the birth of their second child, PhilHealth covered the costs entirely, including a major surgery, which eased their financial burden during a critical time.

These experiences reshaped his understanding of social protection from an expense to a lifeline investment.

In partnership with the local governments of Quezon City and Del Carmen, Siargao Island, the International Labour Organization (ILO) launched a pilot training for its Social Protection Guide for Informal Sector Workers. 

© Minette Rimando/ILO

Mark Angelo was among the 100 community leaders trained under the ILO’s Formalization of the Informal Economy Project. The project is funded by funded by the Governments of Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden through the ILO’s Regular Budget Supplementary Account (RBSA).

Led by district coordinators from the Quezon City Public Employment Service Office and community leaders from savings groups, mothers’ organizations, and waste pickers associations, the sessions held in September 2025 focused on practical strategies to formalize work, access benefits, and build resilience. 

“Life is full of uncertainties. Social protection is not just a safety net, it is a foundation for resilience, dignity, and decent work. Investing in social protection is crucial to protect workers and their families,” said Khalid Hassan, Director of the ILO Country Office for the Philippines.

Mark now uses his role as President and resource speaker to educate fellow waste workers. He understands their hesitation as many prioritize daily income over long-term contributions, a mindset he once shared. But the undeniable benefits have changed his perspective.

Mark’s dream is simple yet profound: good health, education, and a renovated home for his family, including his two sons.

For his association, which has grown from seven to 47 members, he envisions a future where each member can meet their daily needs and understand the value of social protection.