Wazzup Pilipinas!?
As the 2025 midterm election campaign gains momentum in the Philippines, environmental advocates are urging candidates to conduct their campaigns responsibly, emphasizing the importance of protecting trees from the detrimental effects of improperly placed campaign materials.
The EcoWaste Coalition and the Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS) have jointly called on political aspirants to refrain from affixing posters, banners, and other promotional materials to trees. They highlight that such actions not only harm the environment but also violate existing laws.
Trees offer numerous benefits, including supporting wildlife, providing food, purifying the air, preventing soil erosion, conserving water, mitigating flooding, and absorbing greenhouse gases. Attaching campaign materials to trees can cause physical damage, making them susceptible to insects and diseases, potentially leading to decay and death. Atty. Mark Peñalver, Executive Director of IDIS, emphasized, "Harm not the trees. Nurture and protect them instead."
Aileen Lucero, National Coordinator of the EcoWaste Coalition, added, "As the election campaign goes full blast, we ask all candidates and their supporters to abide by ecological and legal practices and save our trees and the environment as a whole from abuse and disrespect."
The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has clear guidelines regarding the placement of campaign materials. According to COMELEC Resolution No. 11111, "posting of campaign materials on planted or growing trees... shall be strictly prohibited." Violations can result in imprisonment, fines, and, for public officers or employees, dismissal from service and perpetual disqualification from holding public office.
In line with these regulations, COMELEC has initiated "Operation Baklas," a nationwide campaign to remove illegally posted campaign materials. COMELEC Chairman George Erwin Garcia warned candidates that failure to remove such materials within three days could lead to charges of election offenses and potential disqualification.
Environmental groups are also advocating for the use of eco-friendly campaign materials. They encourage candidates to choose recyclable and reusable non-toxic materials, reduce the consumption of single-use plastics, and manage campaign waste responsibly. The EcoWaste Coalition and IDIS urge adherence to the "Guidelines on the Use of Environmentally Sustainable Election Propaganda" as outlined in COMELEC Resolution No. 11111.
COMELEC has also appealed to aspirants to use biodegradable materials during their campaigns to help protect the environment. Chairman Garcia stated, "We want to protect the environment even during the campaign season. Don’t use non-biodegradable materials, such as plastics or tarpaulin. As much as possible, use only biodegradable materials, those that we can dissolve or use again."
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has been active in this regard as well. In a previous campaign, the DENR removed over 114,000 campaign materials posted on trees, underscoring the government's commitment to enforcing environmental laws during election periods.
As the campaign season progresses, it is imperative for candidates and their supporters to recognize the environmental impact of their activities. By adhering to legal guidelines and embracing eco-friendly practices, they can contribute to a healthier environment and demonstrate genuine leadership in environmental stewardship.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
Post a Comment