• THERESA MAE DULMAN
The Bacolod Environment and Natural Resources Office (BENRO) has issued a stern warning to the public to stay vigilant against individuals or groups posing as garbage collectors to solicit money from households and businesses.
The warning stemmed from a specific complaint regarding a group calling itself the Garbage Collector Association Bacolod City, which has allegedly been seeking funds under the guise of helping a hospitalized member.
In a media interview, BENRO Officer-in-Charge Atty. Allyn Luv Dignadice said that the group in question is not connected to the city government and International Solid Waste Integrated Management Specialists.
She said that they have never authorized any person or organization to seek cash contributions or donations.
Dignadice emphasized that residents should be wary of such scams, noting that the city highly discourages giving cash to anyone claiming to represent waste management services.
She reminded the public that waste collection is a government-contracted service and that no citizen should feel obligated to provide tips or donations to collectors.
While BENRO acknowledges that some complaints about uncollected garbage persist, they assured the public that collection schedules have been normalized citywide.
Dignadice urged residents and barangay officials to cooperate in reporting these solicitation attempts and to stay alert for illegal dumping activities.*
