Waste collection in Mangaldan, Pangasinan went up by 16 percent in August 2024, with over 500 tons of garbage collected, prompting daily hauling operations to the landfill in Capas, Tarlac.

"Kung dati nasa 22 bins lang tayo per month, ngayon umaabot na sa 27 bins. Mataas talaga siya," Pedrito Rivera, head of the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO), said.

Residents have also noticed the rise in waste.

Rochelle Gutierrez, a resident of Mangaldan, shared how her household’s trash has grown to three from two bags a day.

Despite the increase, she ensures proper waste disposal.

"Para hindi rin po talaga babara sa kanal," Gutierrez said.

The town recently approved a supplemental budget of P2 million to cover the P50 per cubic meter increase in hauling fees at the sanitary landfill in Capas, Tarlac.

"Hindi na natin pinasa pa sa barangay ang pagbabayad ng increase, pero nag-supplemental budget na lang kasi basic needs din naman ito ng mga tao," Rivera said.

With the "ber" months approaching, waste volume is expected to rise even more, prompting MENRO to remind the public to practice proper waste disposal.