PENRO personnel take down campaign poster from a tree. Contributed photo
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Pursuant to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ initiative of clearing trees of all posted election campaign materials, the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office in Pampanga in cooperation with the municipal government of Guagua launched “Oplan Alis Poster on Trees.”
PENRO chief Laudemir Salac said that the operation is anchored on Section 3 of RA 3571 prohibiting the cutting, destroying, or injuring of trees along public roads, in parks, schools, and other public areas.
A similar prohibition is provided under Presidential Decree No. 953, which penalizes a violator with imprisonment from six months to two years, or a fine of P500 to P5,000, or both at the discretion of the court.
PENRO-Pampanga personnel led the removal of posters along major throughfares of the town particularly those posted on trees.
At the same time, Salac is urging candidates to minimize the use of plastic in the creation of their campaign posters, citing a recent study that it takes over 450 years for plastic to break down.
Campaign materials usually made of plastic could end up in the oceans, or might be ingested by such marine species as sea turtles, he said.
Section 264 of the Omnibus Election Code also penalizes candidates found posting on prohibited locations, such as trees, with imprisonment of maximum of six years, disqualification from public office and deprivation of the right of suffrage. Meanwhile, RA 3571 imposes a penalty of maximum of six years prison correctional to whoever is caught destroying or injuring planted or growing trees along public roads, plazas, parks, school premises or in any public ground.
