The town of Firgas was the scene yesterday of a citizen protest near the City Council, called to express disagreement with the recent approval of the waste fee. Protesters demanded that the municipal government consider the diverse economic circumstances of the town's inhabitants when setting the annual fee for waste removal, with a particular emphasis on the situation of individuals in vulnerable situations.
The controversial fee, approved in the municipal plenary session of September 2025 after 30 years without changes, establishes a fixed rate of 67 euros per household, which rises to 101.40 euros for homes with up to four registered residents. For each additional resident, 43.50 euros are added to the fee.
“"We apologize because we thought we had put it on display on the City Council's website."
Mayor Alexis Henríquez acknowledged in a video shared on social media that the communication of the fee increase was delayed, apologizing and attributing it to an error in publication on the municipal website. He justified the increase as compliance with Law 7/2022, aimed at promoting the transition towards a circular economy in the national territory.
However, protesters argued that the same fee cannot be applied to all citizens, pointing out the disparity between those receiving a pension and those with stable salaries. The citizens of Firgas believe that different rates should exist based on each household's circumstances.
As a proposal, residents suggested to the municipal body the possibility of implementing reductions or bonuses for large families or individuals in situations of social exclusion. In light of this, they demand the convening of an urgent extraordinary plenary session to address the issue and approve effective measures that reflect the "true realities of the population."
The mayor detailed that Firgas has approximately 4,000 homes and about 38 businesses. He explained that, to avoid overburdening businesses, the fee charged to individuals is higher than in other municipalities.
