A barangay in Mangaldan, Pangasinan owes over P1.4 million to the local government for trash collection but while it has a budget for this purpose, the money is reportedly not enough.

The barangay is asking residents to help pay for trash collection but residents like Tessie Velasquez is not keen in doing so.

“May pambayad naman ang barangay, bakit pa kami magbabayad? Ang hirap ng pera kung may ibabayad naman pala sila,” Tessie Velasquez, a resident, said.

Barangay officials admitted there is a P240,000 approved budget for garbage collection this 2025. However, they said this is far from enough. Every month, the barangay pays P40,000 to P50,000 to the LGU for use of the town’s waste transfer facility, totaling over P500,000 annually.

“‘Yung budget na ‘yun ay kulang na kulang pa sa pambayad natin sa basura. Sana po magbayad ang mga residente para hindi tayo mabaon sa utang,” Barangay Chairman Alex Razo said.

Because of inconsistent payments from residents, the barangay has been forced to take on more debt.

Of the P1.4 million total debt, only about P100,000 came under the current administration. The rest dates back to before the 2023 barangay elections.

“Hindi ko po ‘yun babayaran kasi utang pa po ‘yun ng nakaraang administration,” Razo said.

To address the issue, Barangay Guilig plans to call for a community assembly to explain the financial situation and appeal to residents to resume paying the garbage fee.