Seven barangays in Mangaldan are facing a combined debt of over P7 million in unpaid garbage collection fees to the local government.

The debt has accumulated over several years from Barangays Anolid, Banaoang, Bantayan, Embarcadero, Guilig, Malabago, and Poblacion, based on data from the Mangaldan Municipal Treasury Office.

Barangay Malabago alone still owes nearly P600,000. Officials say the difficulty lies in collecting the P100 monthly or P25 weekly garbage fee from residents.

“Hindi naman namin pwedeng kunin sa budget namin ang pambayad sa basura. Mawawalan din kami ng budget,” Barangay Malabago Chairwoman Myla Muyargas said.

To address the issue, Barangay Malabago is set to amend its ordinance: residents who fail to pay the garbage fee will no longer be issued a barangay clearance.

“‘Yung lahat ng hindi makabayad, wala talaga clearance. Sinabi rin naman ng LGU para at least mabayaran namin ang mga dapat bayaran,” Muyargas added.

Some residents like Rachelle Avila support the move.

“Okay lang naman kasi hindi naman na mabigat ang P25 per week. Ang importante, maayos ang basura kasi para din ['yan] sa amin,” she said.

Last week, the Mangaldan LGU summoned the barangay leaders to remind them of their outstanding balances. Despite the debts, the LGU assured continued garbage collection and disposal at the sanitary landfill in Urdaneta City.

“Hindi naman pinapa-stop ni mayor ang collection ng basura. Pero hinihikayat ng LGU ang mga barangay officials na kausapin din ang mga residente para mabayaran ang mga balances,” MENRO Head Pedrito Rivera said.

The LGU currently spends over P8 million annually for residual waste disposal alone, making timely payments from barangays vital to sustaining the town’s waste management system.