Bacolod warns public of fake garbage collectors

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY — The Bacolod Environment and Natural Resources Office (BENRO) is warning residents to be on alert for individuals posing as garbage collectors soliciting cash donations in various barangays.

BENRO Officer-in-Charge Atty. Allyn Luv Dignadice said no individual or organization has been authorized by the city government or its new private garbage contractor to collect monetary contributions from the public.

The warning comes after a complaint was filed with BENRO against a group calling itself the Garbage Collector Association Bacolod City. The group allegedly sought donations under the pretense of helping a hospitalized member.

“We highly discourage the giving of cash donations to individuals claiming to be garbage collectors. A lot can happen, and there are scammers the public must be wary of,” Dignadice said.

She acknowledged that while garbage collection schedules across Bacolod have returned to normal, complaints about uncollected trash continue to surface.

Dignadice called for greater public cooperation to improve waste management in the city. She specifically urged barangay officials to assist in addressing illegal dumping activities that contribute to sanitation issues.

She also confirmed that Bacolod’s new garbage collection contractor, ISWIMS, has begun clearing the backlog and resolving problems inherited from the previous contractor.

Currently, the city collects between 1,700 and 2,500 cubic meters of garbage daily. All collected waste is properly disposed of at the city’s sanitary landfill.

BENRO encouraged residents to report any suspicious solicitation activities and coordinate with barangay authorities to ensure proper waste handling and prevent further environmental damage.