Like any other metropolis in the world, Manila produces waste. Daily, an estimated 7,000 tons of waste are collected, managed and disposed. Some 30% of it is illegally dumped or burned. The rest is disposed in the 6 dumpsites within the city boundaries.

Dumpsites have become homes to scavengers and waste pickers, some as young as 5, earning $2 or $3 per day selling scrap metal and other recyclable goods.

A study carried out by the Asian Development Bank in 2003 estimated that 150,000 people reside on the dumpsites, mostly unregistered and without any social safety net.

They are spare parts of the Manila waste management and disposal system.

For the Filipino society, these people simply do not exist.

This is their story...