UNHEARD VOICES OF GARBAGE COLLECTOR ON GARBAGE COLLECTION: A NARRATOLOGY APPROACH (KEY IJP************681)

• Khristian Henri F. Alonzo,Yllor James A. Otero,Klemie D. Saldua

Abstract

This study delves into the often-overlooked accounts of garbage collectors in Davao City, Philippines, focusing on their indispensable, yet underappreciated, roles in urban sanitation and environmental sustainability. Using a narratological approach and qualitative methodologies, this research looks into the challenges and lived experiences of these individuals. Based on the study results, five themes were generated: Orientation and Training, which reveals a lack of formal training, leading to reliance on experiential learning; Challenges with Non-compliance of Residents, highlighting frustration due to residentsfailure to adhere to waste segregation rules; Support from the Agency, which shows that although workers receive some support, issues like low wages and job insecurity remain; Health and Safety Concerns, emphasizing the discomfort of PPE, especially face masks, which hinder effective work, and underscores the critical issue that garbage collectors do not undergo annual physical examinations, leaving their health status unmonitored despite frequent exposure to hazardous conditions; and Challenges in Wearing PPE and Behavioral Gaps in PPE Usage, pointing to inconsistent usage due to discomfort and physical challenges. Despite all the hardships their job carries, garbage collectors take an identity in this occupation; their work is somehow thwarted due to a lack of resources and insufficient community engagement. Studies have shown that training, additional resources, and higher community involvement can help build worker welfare as well as enhance efficiency in managing waste. This will include just wages, stronger support systems, and stricter compliance with waste separation guidelines. The authors should amplify the voices of waste collectors for effective sustainable urban waste management.