BAGUIO CITY — Incoming Abra Lone District Representative JB Bernos and Bangued Mayor-elect Pope Cardenas have pledged to improve garbage collection and management in the provincial capital.

Congressman-elect Bernos, the outgoing Mayor of La Paz, has committed to allowing Bangued to use La Paz’s temporary landfill. This arrangement will continue until a permanent waste disposal site for Bangued is established.

Bernos, who also serves as the national president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP), added that La Paz can lend one garbage compressor truck to Bangued. This assistance aims to bolster waste collection in Bangued, where the majority of businesses, offices, schools and restaurants are located.

Cardenas assured residents that a new garbage collection system would be implemented. He noted that repairs are underway on Bangued’s two government-owned garbage trucks. Cardenas stated they would improve collection schedules and ensure an adequate number of trucks as soon as possible.

Both officials appealed for public cooperation in improving waste management. Cardenas specifically urged Bangued residents to refrain from indiscriminate waste disposal and garbage burning.

For an extended period, Bangued has struggled with an effective garbage collection and management system, leading to widespread improper waste disposal practices like burning and illegal dumping.

In addition to waste management, the incoming local chief executive, with support from the congressman-elect, has begun pilot testing a new traffic scheme aimed at improving traffic flow in the province’s business district.