EcoWaste Coalition says election-related wastes like sample ballots and single-use food and beverage packaging were “left abandoned” in several polling precincts and on streets during and after the nationwide conduct of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Election on Monday, October 30, 2023. Photo courtesy of EcoWaste Coalition
MANILA, Philippines — Littering and other environmental law violations have been observed during the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Election (BSKE).
The EcoWaste Coalition reported this on Tuesday, noting that sample ballots, single-use food and beverage packaging, and other campaign materials were “left abandoned” in several polling precincts and on streets.
The environmental group pointed out that this breaches the Republic Act (RA) 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, as well as Metro Manila Development Authority Resolution No. 96-009, or the Anti-Littering Law in the country’s capital region.
“While some polling centers, especially those outside Metro Manila, are clean, we found many places littered with sample ballots, plastic bottles, Styrofoam food containers, and other single-use plastics,” EcoWaste’s zero waste campaigner Ochie Tolentino said in a statement Monday.
“In most cases, food rations for poll watchers and other volunteers were left abandoned on the streets,” she highlighted.
READ: Election trash: Supporters, voters urged to pick them up
Of the 20 voting sites monitored by the group, only four schools were found litter-free. These were:
- Matagbak Elementary School in Alfonso, Cavite
- Marbel 7 Elementary School in Koronadal City, South Cotabato
- Benguet State University, La Trinidad, Benguet
- Flora Ylagan High School, Quezon City
EcoWaste Coalition says election-related wastes like sample ballots and single-use food and beverage packaging were “left abandoned” in several polling precincts and on streets during and after the nationwide conduct of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Election on Monday, October 30, 2023. Photo courtesy of EcoWaste Coalition
The rest, it claimed, were strewn with various election-related wastes. These were:
- Nicanor Garcia Elementary School in Makati City
- Jose Magsaysay Elementary School in Makati City
- Barangay Valenzuela Community Complex in Makati City
- Fernando Ma. Guerrero Elementary School in Manila City
- M. Roxas de Ayala Elementary School in Manila City
- Ignacio Villamor High School in Manila City
- Padre Burgos Elementary School in Pasay City
- Epifanio delos Santos Elementary School in Pasay City
- Padre Zamora Elementary School in Pasay City
- Fort Bonifacio High School, Taguig City
- Flora Ylagan High School in Quezon City
- Pinyahan Elementary School in Quezon City
- Northbay Boulevard North Elementary School in Navotas City
- Navotas National High School in Navotas City
- Tinajeros National High School in Malabon City
- Catmon Elementary School in Malabon City
EcoWaste also noticed “more blatant offenses” that directly and indirectly harm the environment, like the plastering of campaign posters outside Commission on Elections-designated areas, particularly on trees, electric posts, and walls.
The group said violators of RA 9003 shall be fined between P300 and P1,000, or penalized with community service for one to 15 days, or both, while Anti-Littering Law offenders shall be fined between P500 and P1,000, or penalized with community service for one to 15 days, or both.
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