Residents in two barangays in Bacolod City have raised concerns over piles of uncollected garbage, citing foul odor, dirty surroundings, and improper waste disposal despite regular collection schedules, according to residents and city officials.

Residents of Purok Malipayon in Barangay Bata said garbage has been piling up in the area, creating an unsanitary environment.

“Ang dumi talaga. Pinapadami pa kasi bago kunin. Dapat sana malinis. Araw-araw dapat kasi hindi magandang tingnan,” Oting, one of the residents, said.

Garbage collectors working under the city's waste collection contractor denied that collection was irregular, saying trash is picked up daily but waste quickly accumulates again after their rounds.

“Araw-araw iyan na kinukuha kaya lang pag-alis namin, tinatambakan ulit at kinakalat na naman,” Francis Cuare, a garbage collector, said.

They added that stray dogs and people who make a living from collecting recyclable materials also contribute to the scattered garbage.

“May mga aso (na kumakalat) at tao na ikinabubuhay naman ang pambabasura. Hindi lang naman taga-Bata ang nagtatapon dito (ng basura),” Efren Villaluz, another garbage collector, said.

Meanwhile, residents in Barangay Vista Alegre pointed to problems with a large trash container installed in the area, saying it is difficult to use because of its height. Others also blamed improper disposal by some residents.

“Masyado kasing mataas. Sana may hagdan,” Rudilyn Duque, a resident, said.

“Ang mga tao, tamad kasi. Mas mabuti na may bantay sana,” Jenny Rose Brito, another resident, added.

The Bacolod City government clarified that once trash containers are turned over to barangays, responsibility for maintaining the area and regulating waste disposal rests with the barangay, as stated in the memorandum of agreement among the local government, the contractor, and the barangay.

Secretary to the Mayor Atty. Marty Go said the agreement also requires barangays to monitor the area, maintain cleanliness, and notify authorities when the containers are already full or nearing capacity.

“Nakalagay diyan na ang barangay will be the one to take care, in monitoring, in maintaining cleanliness sa area. When it’s full or about to be filled up, sila mismo magre-report,” she said.