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| The DILG reminds all local governments and candidates that campaign waste must be removed and disposed of within three days. Photo: DPWH/Facebook |
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) reminds all local government units (LGUs) and candidates that all campaign waste materials must be removed and disposed of within three days.
"The first order of business after the polls is to clean up election litter. Aside from incumbent LGU officials, we urge all candidates, winners and non-winners alike, to remove campaign materials," said DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año.
He urged local chief executives (LCEs) to dispose of election propaganda materials following environmental laws and local ordinances and regulations prohibiting illegal dumping, open burning, and littering.
He also encourages the use of barangay and LGU material recovery facilities to collect and restore reusable materials and the development of innovative and safe recycling or upcycling strategies for reusable campaign waste materials.
"Impose responsibility on the organizers of political activities to ensure that waste generated by their activities and attendees is properly managed and disposed of," he said in the LCE advisory.
"Hinihimok natin ang ating mga kababayan na makiisa sa clean-up drive ng kanilang LGUs at barangay. We contributed by exercising our right to vote. Let us continue to participate in governance by cleaning up our neighborhood from election litter," he added.
Año stated that campaign propaganda made of plastics and other non-biodegradable materials can be harmful to public health and the environment if not disposed of properly.
Section 10 of Republic Act (RA) No. 9003, also known as the "Ecological Solid Waste Management Act," states that under Republic Act (RA) 7160, or the Local Government Code, local governments are primarily responsible for implementing and enforcing the provisions of RA 9003 within their respective jurisdictions. "Segregation and collection of solid waste shall be conducted at the barangay level specifically for biodegradable, compostable, and reusable wastes: Provided that the collection of non-recyclable materials and special wastes shall be the responsibility of the municipality or city."
Año reported that more than 168.84 tons of campaign materials were collected during the 2019 midterm elections. —Tacloban News Update (Source: DILG)