Ecowaste issues election appeal

WITH the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections only a week away,
green group Ecowaste Coalition yesterday asked Comelec to remind
candidates to spare the trees from their campaign activities.

"We request Chairman (Jose) Melo to join us in asking the candidates
to show mercy to our life-sustaining trees and spare them of posters,
banners, and other materials meant to woo voters," said EcoWaste
president Roy Alvarez.

"We urge all candidates and their supporters to demonstrate ecological
responsibility by ensuring that their campaign gimmicks do not in any
way harm the trees and degrade the environment," he added.

Reports said campaign materials were found nailed, stapled, and hanged
on some trees situated along Bronce St. in Malabon City, N. Garcia
St., J.P. Rizal Ave., Zapote St., and South Ave. in Makati City and at
Pedro Gil St. in Manila.

Campaign posters on trees were spotted in Quezon City such as in
Barangay Amihan, Barangay Quirino 2-A, Barangay Pinyahan, and Barangay
Central.

According to a report from the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources, a surge of tree infections occurred, particularly in urban
areas five to six months after an election was held, due to the nails
and staples hammered or stacked into trees used to place campaign
posters.

The report also noted that many trees died in just one or two years
unless rehabilitated through tree surgeries.

Ecowaste reminded candidates that election laws forbid posting of
campaign materials on trees as well as in bridges, churches, electric
posts, schools, shrines, public structures, buildings, and along main
roads.

"Let not the ten-day campaign period be an occasion to violate the
trees and our Mother Earth as a whole. Instead, let it be an occasion
to show our connection and respect for all the gifts of creation," the
group said.

Posted in: Election appeal