This campaign material for presidential contender Leody de Guzman and other candidates of the Partido Lakas ng Masa is made of stone paper. (Photo from De Guzman’s camp)
MANILA, Philippines — Presidential candidate Leody de Guzman on Tuesday said he will use eco-friendly campaign materials and urged his opponents to do the same.
De Guzman said all his campaign materials will be biodegradable, as he called on his supporters to be conscious of the worsening pollution.
“Bilang pagsasakongkreto ng ating paninindigan at plataporma para sa kalikasan, gagamit tayo ng biodegradable materials sa ating mga campaign paraphernalia,” he said in a statement.
(To reaffirm our stand and platforms for nature, we will use biodegradable materials for our campaign paraphernalia.)
De Guzman said the actions of political candidates should be consistent with their platforms in addressing pollution and climate change.
He also challenged national candidates down to councilors to refrain from using cheaper yet environmentally destructive materials, and to include environmental concerns in their programs.
“Ang paggamit sa mga materyales na hindi nakakapinsala sa kalikasan ay bahagi ng isinusulong nating electoral reforms. Isang krusyal na aspeto nito ay ang pag-akto ng Comelec sa pagtataas sa awareness ng mga botante ukol sa mga kandidato’t plataporma,” he said.
(The use of materials that are not destructive to the environment is part of the electoral reforms we are pushing for. One crucial aspect of this is for the Comelec to increase the awareness of voters on the candidates and their platforms.)
“Talikuran ang makalat, marumi, at magastos na kampanyang pumapabor sa mga bilyonaryong tumutustos sa election expenses ng mga kandidato para proteksyunan ang kanilang mga negosyo,” the labor leader urged.
(Let us shun messy and costly campaigns that favor the billionaires funding the election expenses of candidates so that their businesses will be protected.)
De Guzman’s environmental agenda includes the phasing out of coal-fired and incinerator power plants, a transition to a “green economy,” ban against “destructive” industries like mining and logging, and reparations from the Global North for their climate debts to vulnerable countries.
RELATED STORIES
Groups urge Comelec to implement measures for 2022 post-election cleanup
EcoWaste slams illegal campaign posters, appeals to candidates