LAOAG CITY -- With the ongoing election campaign period, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has reiterated its call to candidates to spare the trees and display posters only in designated areas.
Starting this month, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Victor Dabalos said a team is constantly monitoring national and provincial roads to ensure these are free of campaign paraphernalia and other advertisements nailed on trees or along approaches of bridges.
Like in previous election years, Dabalos said the DENR will be coordinating closely with the Commission on Elections, Department of Public Works and Highways and other various private and non-government organizations to remove all forms of advertisement and election-related materials which are illegally posted from the Badoc gateway to the northernmost part of Pagudpud town.
“May we remind our candidates to post their campaign ads only in identified common poster areas and ensure cleanliness of our province,” Dabalos said Friday.
Pursuant to Republic Act No. 3571, an act that “prohibits the cutting, destroying or injuring of planted or growing trees, flowering plants and shrubs or plants of scenic value along public roads, in plazas, parks, school premises or in any other public ground”, the DENR is reminding the public that nailing of political advertisements and campaign materials on trees is strictly prohibited.
Every election period, a multi-sectoral group based in the province activates a special task force to intensify the campaign against illegally-posted election materials, particularly those situated on approaches of bridges and right of way of national roads. (PNA)
