The combined contracts for environmental and sanitary services in 16 Metro Manila cities rose from P8.2 billion in 2023 to P8.5 billion in 2024, according to financial statements submitted to the Commission on Audit. Ten cities reported higher expenses, while five saw declines, influenced by the transfer of barangays from Makati to Taguig.
Financial statements submitted to the Commission on Audit show that cities including Caloocan, Las Piñas, Mandaluyong, Marikina, Parañaque, Pasig, Valenzuela, Malabon, Taguig, and Muntinlupa increased their spending on environmental and sanitary services compared to the previous year. For instance, Malabon nearly doubled its expenses from P38 million to P69 million, an 81.77% rise, covering clean-and-green programs, garbage and hospital waste collection, and payments to sweepers and environmental enforcers.
The most significant shift occurred between Taguig and Makati due to the 2023 transfer of 10 barangays, known as Enlisted Men’s Barrios (EMBOs), from Makati to Taguig following a Supreme Court ruling. Taguig's garbage hauling costs jumped from P640.97 million to P920 million, while Makati's fell from P695.54 million to P497.95 million, resulting in savings of about P197 million.
Meanwhile, Manila spent P969 million in 2024, slightly down from P972 million in 2023, despite imposing higher collection fees to offset hauling costs. Quezon City reduced expenses by P105 million to P2.118 billion, while Navotas and San Juan also reported declines. Pasay's spending remained nearly unchanged, from P484.84 million to P484.91 million.
The transferred barangays—Pembo, Comembo, Cembo, South Cembo, West Rembo, East Rembo, Pitogo, Rizal, Post Proper Northside, and Post Proper Southside—shifted responsibility for waste from roughly 300,000 residents.
