Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 20) — A garbage collector in Quezon City (QC) was fired by his hauling contractor for harassing a female student in Project 4.
The QC Public Affairs and Information Services Office (PAISO) said on Wednesday that the unnamed garbage collector, or palero, was initially reprimanded and eventually sacked by OMNI Hauling Services Inc.
His removal arose from the complaint of a certain Sandy, who coursed it through the social media page of QC PAISO.
Sandy said she was waiting for a vehicle to ride at the corner of Kalantiyaw Street when a yellow garbage truck with body number 15 passed by. The garbage collector then told her “Idol, ang ganda mo. I love you (Idol, you’re so beautiful, I love you),” the statement said.
It added Sandy responded to garbage collector, saying “bastos,” but the man just smiled back.
PAISO advised the victim to file a complaint before the Violence against Women and Children Desk of Barangay Bagumbahay.
OMNI Hauling Services Inc. is conducting its own investigation, and has issued a warning to its teams to be aware of Republic Act 9170, or the Magna Carta for Women, and City Ordinance 2501-2016, or the Quezon City’s anti-catcalling ordinance.
The ordinance penalizes sexual harassment in public places.
In November, QC police officers Rick Tanguilan and Domingo Nagales Cena were also sacked after catcalling a student along Katipunan Avenue.
Violators of light offenses, which include catcalling, wolf-whistling, and repeatedly asking for the number of a woman, may be penalized with one to 30 days of prison time, and a fine ranging from P1,000 to P5,000.
Severe violations, which include unnecessary or deliberate physical contact, public masturbation, and acts of lasciviousness directed at a woman, will be penalized with one month to a year of imprisonment or a fine of P1,000 to P5,000.
