A barangay in Mangaldan, Pangasinan is planning to charge residents a garbage fee after its waste management expenses reached nearly P40,000 monthly, an amount that officials say the local budget can no longer sustain.

Barangay Embarcadero now owes almost P300,000 to the local government due to several months of unpaid garbage fees, according to Barangay Chairman Teofilo Frianeza Jr.

“Hindi na talaga kakayanin ng aming barangay, kailangan na namin ng tulong talaga,” Frianeza said.

To ease the financial burden, the barangay council is proposing an ordinance that would require residents to pay a garbage fee of P5 per kilo of waste. A public hearing is set for the last week of October to gather feedback from residents.

“Para makatulong din po sila sa amin sa pagbabayad ng garbage fee,” Frianeza added.

While some residents find the proposed fee heavy, others support the move, saying it could promote discipline in waste disposal.

“Okey lang po ‘yung 5 pesos per kilo para malinis din po ‘yung lugar namin. Wala kaming problema sa basura,” said resident Jeffrey de Vera.

The plan’s approval will depend on the outcome of the public hearing and the response of Embarcadero residents.