ILLEGAL POSTERS. Personnel from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Davao Region (DENR-11) start removing campaign materials posted on trees across the region Monday (April 18, 2022). In this photo, a DENR-11 team removes a large two cubic meter campaign poster along Dacudao Avenue and Buhangin Diversion Road in Davao City. (Photo courtesy of DENR-11)
DAVAO CITY – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Davao Region (DENR-11) started Monday the massive clearing operation of election campaign posters displayed on trees along major thoroughfares in the region.
This came about as supporters of some candidates earned the ire of netizens who took to social media to point out that campaign posters are being nailed even on decade-old trees.
DENR-11 Director Bagani Fidel Evasco reminded local and national candidates to educate their supporters not to post (nail or wire) their campaign materials on naturally growing or planted trees as it injures or damages them.
"It is a clear violation of the 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 any other public ground," Evasco told reporters here Monday.
In the same manner, he said Presidential Decree 953 also prohibits "cutting, destroying, damaging, or injuring naturally grown or planted trees of any kind, flowering or ornamental plants and shrubs, or plants of scenic, aesthetic and ecological value, along public roads, in plazas, parks other than national parks, or in any other public ground or place."
Evasco said these acts are punishable with imprisonment not less than six months and not more than two years. Violators also face a fine of not less than five hundred pesos and not more than five thousand pesos, or both at the discretion of the court.
Meanwhile, Atty. Gay Enumerables, the Commission on Elections in Davao Region (Comelec-11) assistant regional director and spokesperson, also reiterated to political supporters that they can only post on common posting areas.
Oversized posters are considered unlawful as well, he said, adding that property owners are entitled to materials that are posted on private properties. (PNA)
