Republic of the Philippines
SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD
City Government of Naga

ORDINANCE NO. 2025-105

Vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv

ORDINANCE RECOGNIZING, ORGANIZING, ACCREDITING, AND INTEGRATING THE INFORMAL WASTE SECTOR (IWS) INTO THE CITY OF NAGA’S SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, DEFINING THEIR RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES, ESTABLISHING SUPPORT MECHANISMS, CREATING A MULTI-STAKEHOLDER TECHNICAL WORKING GROUP, AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR:-

Authors: City Councilor Jessie R. Albeus
Senior Citizen Councilor Simeon Jesus B. Adan Jr.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The City Government of Naga, in pursuit of inclusive, participatory, and sustainable development, acknowledges the indispensable role of the Informal Waste Sector (IWS) in achieving the goals of ecological solid waste management, environmental protection, and social equity. 

Despite the mandates of Republic Act No. 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, many local government units, including Naga City, continue to struggle with waste diversion, segregation, and recycling. Informal waste workers—such as waste pickers, itinerant buyers, recyclers, and junk shop operators—have long contributed to reducing the volume of residual waste through the recovery of recyclable and reusable materials. Yet, their efforts remain largely unrecognized, unregulated, and unsupported. 

This ordinance seeks to formally recognize, organize, accredit, and integrate the IWS into Naga City’s solid waste management system. It aims to provide a framework for their protection, empowerment, and participation through access to training, protective equipment, livelihood support, and inclusion in decision-making processes. By doing so, the City affirms its commitment to environmental justice, inclusive governance, decent work, and sustainable urban development.

BE IT ORDAINED by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Naga, that:

Section 1. Title. This Ordinance shall be known as the “Naga City Informal Waste Sector Integration Ordinance of 2025.” 

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the City Government of Naga to: 

1. Promote inclusive and participatory governance in environmental management; 
2. Recognize the contribution of the Informal Waste Sector in achieving the objectives of Republic Act No. 9003; 
3. Uphold the rights, dignity, and welfare of informal waste workers; 
4. Institutionalize their integration into the city’s solid waste management system; 
5. Provide mechanisms for their protection, capacity-building, and sustainable livelihood; 
6. Promote decent work, fair livelihood opportunities, and occupational health and safety for IWS members; 
7. Ensure environmental justice and social equity through inclusive policy-making. 

Section 3. Definition of Terms 

1. Informal Waste Sector (IWS) – Individuals or groups engaged in the collection, sorting, recycling, and selling of waste materials without formal recognition or regulation.
2. Accreditation – The process of officially recognizing IWS members or organizations by the City Government.
3. Integration – The inclusion of IWS into the formal solid waste management system of the city.
4. Support Mechanisms – Programs and services provided to enhance the welfare and productivity of IWS members. 
5. Technical Working Group (TWG) – A multi-stakeholder body tasked with overseeing the implementation of this ordinance. 

Section 4. Recognition, Accreditation, and Integration. The City Government shall: 

1. Recognize the Informal Waste Sector (IWS) as key partners in solid waste management.
2. Facilitate the organization of IWS members into associations, cooperatives, or federations.
3. Assign the Solid Waste Management Office (SWMO), in coordination with the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), to oversee the accreditation process.
4. Issue official identification cards to accredited IWS members. 
5. Include accredited IWS members in the city’s solid waste management database. 

Section 5. Rights of Accredited Informal Waste Sector Members. Accredited members of the Informal Waste Sector shall enjoy the following rights: 

1. Recognition and Respect – To be acknowledged as legitimate contributors to the city’s solid waste management system and treated with dignity and respect.
2. Safe Working Conditions – To work in environments that meet minimum health, safety, and sanitation standards, including access to protective equipment and designated sorting areas. 
3. Livelihood Support – To access livelihood programs, financial assistance, and enterprise development opportunities. 
4. Capacity Development – To participate in training, seminars, and workshops aimed at improving their skills and productivity. 
5. Social Protection – To be referred to health, insurance, and social welfare services, including inclusion in programs for vulnerable sectors. 
6. Participation in Governance – To be represented in the Technical Working Group and other consultative bodies related to solid waste management. 
7. Access to Facilities – To use designated Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs) and access areas in commercial establishments and subdivisions. 
8. Freedom of Association – To organize into cooperatives, associations, or federations for mutual support and representation. 
9. Non-Discrimination – To be protected against discrimination based on gender, age, ethnicity, disability, or socio-economic status. 

Section 6. Duties and Responsibilities of the Informal Waste Sector Members. Accredited IWS members shall: 

1. Comply with health, safety, and environmental standards peace and order regulation set by the City Government. 
2. Participate in training, orientation, and capacity-building activities organized by the SWMO and partner agencies. 
3. Cooperate with barangay and city-level solid waste management programs.
4. Submit periodic reports and updates to the SWMO as required. 
5. Uphold ethical practices in waste collection, sorting, and recycling. 

Section 7. Support Mechanisms. The City Government shall provide the following support mechanisms to accredited IWS members: 

1. Access to protective equipment, tools, and uniforms. 
2. Capacity-building programs, technical training, and skills development.
3. Health and social protection services, including medical check-ups and insurance referrals. 
4. Access to microfinance, livelihood grants, and enterprise development programs.
5. Designated Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs) or sorting areas within barangays and commercial zones.
6. Inclusion in public-private partnerships and waste diversion initiatives. 
7. Recognition in city-wide environmental campaigns and events. 

Section 8. Creation of a Multi-Stakeholder Technical Working Group. A Technical Working Group shall be created through an Executive Order composed of: 

1. Chair: City Mayor or representative 
2. Co-Chair: Head of the Solid Waste Management Office (SWMO) 
3. Members:
   • City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) 
   • City Health Office 
   • City Legal Office 
   • City Planning and Development Office 
   • Liga ng mga Barangay 
   • Accredited IWS representatives 
   • NGOs and CSOs involved in waste management 
   • Private sector representatives 
   • Public Employment Services Office (PESO) 

Section 9. Functions of the Technical Working Group. The Technical Working Group shall: 

1. Oversee the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of this Ordinance. 
2. Formulate and update operational guidelines.
3. Monitor and evaluate the integration process.
4. Recommend policy improvements. 
5. Facilitate coordination among stakeholders. 
6. Ensure compliance with national and local laws.

Section 10. Operational Guidelines. The Technical Working Group shall develop the necessary Implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR) within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Ordinance, covering: 

1. Accreditation procedures. 
2. Code of Conduct for IWS. 
3. Health and safety protocols. 
4. Waste collection and sorting standards. 
5. Monitoring and evaluation tools. 
6. Assignment of IWS members to Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs) of commercial establishments and subdivisions.
7. Designation of MRF access areas for IWS members. 

Section 11. Funding Support. The necessary funding to carry out effectively the mandate of this ordinance shall be appropriated from the general fund of the City Government of Naga. 

Section 12. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Ordinance is declared unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 13. Repealing Clause. All ordinances, executive orders, and regulations inconsistent with this Ordinance are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 

Section 14. Effectivity. This Ordinance shall take effect fifteen (15) days upon its publication in a newspaper of local circulation and posting at the official social media account of the City Government of Naga. 

ENACTED: December 4, 2025 

WE HEREBY CERTIFY to the correctness of the foregoing ordinance. 

GIL A. DE LA TORRE

Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlungsod 86

GABRIEL H. BORDADO JR.
City Vice Mayor & Presiding Officer

APPROVED: 

MARIA LEONOR G. ROBREDO
City Mayor