Dagupan City Mayor Belen Fernandez has called out a large buildup of garbage at a village material recovery facility, highlighting long-standing waste management problems and prompting local officials to act.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, Fernandez criticized the condition of the material recovery facility (MRF) in Barangay Bonuan Binloc, where piles of uncollected waste were seen. The site was formerly a city dumpsite that had been closed and repurposed as a segregation facility.

Residents said the situation has worsened due to foul odors and recurring waste accumulation.

“Nangangamoy talaga lalo kapag nakakaalkal siya… Nagpunta rin kami sa DENR noong nakaraan at pumunta naman sila rito. Naaksyunan naman noon kasi nagtambak nga ulit,” said resident Renz Camero.

Barangay officials acknowledged that the volume of garbage has long exceeded their capacity to manage it, even with regular collection.

“Lahat ng area ng sitio namin is pinull-out namin yung mga basura at ganun talaga kalaki yung basura namin… Sumabay po yung closing ng dumpsite sa Tondaligan… doon din kami talaga natambakan sa area namin,” Barangay Captain Wilmer Castañares said.

Garbage collection in the area is conducted twice a week per sitio, while the local government unit carries out additional collections two to three times weekly. However, officials said waste volume can reach up to 5,000 kilograms, leaving some uncollected.

Authorities cited improper waste segregation as a key factor behind the buildup.

“Magkakaroon na rin dapat talaga sila ng segregation per household… Dahil yung mga segregator natin hindi talaga kaya na hiwalayin yung mga mix na basura,” Castañares said.

The barangay council has pledged to address the issue and step up information campaigns to encourage residents to properly segregate their waste.

Some residents like Bernard Abillera said they are willing to cooperate to improve conditions and protect public health.

“Matanggal para walang maperwisyo na mga bata dito, mga baha kasi mabaho minsan. Baka magkasakit sila,” he said.

City officials have yet to announce further measures as efforts continue to manage the waste problem, as of press time.