The dangerous life of a garbage collector in the time of COVID-19

Many brave garbage collectors continue to keep their neighborhoods clean despite the risk of exposing themselves to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

In an episode of "Frontliners: A Brigada Special Online Series," GMA Public Affairs spent a day with Anthony Jumadiao, a garbage collector who continues to provide his services to the Baseco compound in Manila.

"Simula po nang magka-virus, lubos na po kaming nabababahala," he said.

"Hindi namin po alam kung carrier na po kami ng virus na ‘yan. Puwede po naming mahawaan 'yung mga bata, magulang ko, lahat po sila frontliner din po kasi kami. Lagi po kaming nasa labas," he added.

Every morning at 3 a.m., Anthony sets out to clear the mounds of trash all over Baseco.

To protect themselves from the virus, he and his companions were given some masks, gloves and soap. However, the gloves were damaged very easily.

They had to pick up every loose piece of trash that people have carelessly discarded along the streets and waterways.

"Minsan po may nakakakalat na mask. ‘Di po namin alam kung may virus po yun. Pero no choice pa rin,  kailangan kunin pa rin namin yung basura. pero nakakaktakot pa rin po," Anthony said.

Handling other people’s garbage was hard, but the improper waste disposal practiced among residents made it even harder.

"Kalat-kalat po ‘yung basura. Minsan binubuhos po nila, binubuhos lang po sa lapag," he said.

"Mas maganda po kung nakatali po para madali lang pong mahakot eh. Hindi gaya niyan, papalaan pa po namin minsan. Kung nakasako po yan, nakalagay sa mga drum, timba, naka-plastic, mas madali po. Tsaka iwas virus din po," he added.

Anthony gets P537 for a day’s work.

He wasn’t sure it would be enough to get him and his family through the enhanced community quarantine which had been extended in Metro Manila.

"Sa pagkain po, may araw din po na sumasapat. Pero itong nadugtong po yung quarantine, na extend pa po, parang kukulangin po sa tingin ko kasi po may mga kaanak din po akong walang trabaho, ang ginagawa ko po sinusuplayan ko rin po sila," he explained.

'Frontliner din kami'

A garbage collector for seven years now, Anthony has been aware of the risks of his job even before the COVID-19 threat.

Nevertheless, he knew he needed to keep working for his family and to keep their surroundings clean for other residents, as well.

"Sa sobrang hirap po ng buhay ngayon, lalo na may bata po ng COVID-19, puwede pong maapektuhan yung kalusugan namin. Puwede po kaming mahawa pero kailangan pa rin po naming magtrabaho kasi po para makakain pa rin po 'yung pamilya ko," he said.

"Para na rin po makatulong kami sa mga kababayan natin, kasi pag time na hindi po kami naghakot,  kahit isang araw lang po, marami pong basura. Puwede pong maraming mahawa, lalong kakalat 'yung virus," he added.

Anthony even wrote a rap song about the hardships of being a garbage collector.
It also pays a tribute to the other frontliners like doctors, soldiers and policemen who are risking their lives everyday just to battle COVID-19.

"Nagpapasalamat din po ako sa may itaas. kahit papaano hindi niya po kami pinapabayaan mga kasamahan kong garbage collector, basta tuloy tuloy lang po ‘yung serbisyo namin kahit may banta ng COVID-19," Anthony said.

Those who wish to help Anthony may contact him through these numbers: 09154798989 or 09518595311.

—Margaret Claire Layug/JCB, GMA News