TACLOBAN CITY- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) here in the region has called on candidates to stop nailing their campaign materials on trees.
DENR Regional Executive Director Crizaldy Barcelo said that trees become susceptible to diseases and attacks of harmful insects when harmed by nailing and eventually may cause the tree’s death.
Barcelo cited section 3 of Republic Act 3571 which prohibits, the cutting, destroying, or injuring of trees along public schools, roads, and other public areas as the legal basis for his appeal to candidates.
The same prohibitions are also provided under section 3 of PD 953 which provides that an imprisonment of not less than six months and not more than two years, or a fine of not less than P5,000 or with both imprisonment and fine shall be imposed for violation of said prohibitions.
Since the start of the campaign period, posters and other campaign materials could be seen being nailed at the trees.
Together with the call against nailing campaign materials on trees, Barcelo also reminds the public to be mindful of the wastes that will be generated during the campaign period.
“Do not litter our streets and clog our water ways with campaign materials and other sort of wastes, strictly observe RA 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000,” the DENR executive regional director said.
However, Barcelo emphasized that this appeal to stop harming trees and maintaining cleanliness is a call that extend beyond the election period.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
