“The informal waste workers remain excluded from the solid waste management value chain, yet their work is indispensable and forms the very backbone of a supply chain that advances environmental sustainability,” said DENR Secretary Raphael P. M. Lotilla. 1655, Series of 2024, which mandates local government units to integrate programs supporting informal waste workers into their ten-year solid waste management plans, ensuring institutional recognition and access to essential services. Informal waste workers include waste reclaimers, itinerant waste buyers, and small junk shop operators who recover and recycle significant amounts of waste materials that help reduce landfill dependency. While Republic Act 9003 provides the legal framework for solid waste management, it does not yet establish clear protections or governance structures for the informal waste sector. The EMB said solid waste continues to be a prevalent concern nationwide because local government units in the country face challenges in solid waste management due to lack of waste management infrastructure, prevalence of single-use plastics, and limited access to sanitary landfills.