DPWH joins Comelec drive vs illegal election propaganda

Department of Public Works and Highways secretary Rogelio Singson. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/LYN RILLON

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is joining the crackdown of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) against all illegally placed election propaganda throughout the country as the campaign season heats up.

DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson Thursday has ordered all of its officials nationwide “to remove and tear down all unlawful election materials posted in areas which are not the official Comelec designated posting areas,” DPWH said in a statement.

The DPWH, along with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), has been deputized by the Comelec to assist in the removal of election propaganda in prohibited areas.

“Singson also ordered the banning and removal of election propaganda materials posted alongside or in all on-going or recently completed DPWH projects,” it said.

“This is our way of supporting the ‘anti-epal’ campaign or the citizens’ call on politicians not to use government projects” to help them in their candidacy, Singson said.

Posters and streamers placed at bridge approaches, road and bridge railings, signages, chevrons, cribwalls, ripraps, as well as other public structures should be clear of election propaganda to ensure the safety of motorists and pedestrians.

“These unlawful materials pose danger to motorists because the road safety signages or structures are peppered with these propaganda election materials.  Oftentimes, the traffic directional signs cannot be ready legibly by the motorists,” Singson said.

“DPWH will protect government properties such as national roads and bridges from being utilized as accessory resources of any candidate or groups wanting to have a name recall thru self-serving public displays of their propaganda materials including at on-going public works projects funded by our taxpayers’ money,” he said.

The taking down of prohibited propaganda will be properly coordinated and documented with local Comelec officers to ensure compliance with pertinent campaign rules.

“Concentrate on violations committed within the scope and jurisdiction of the department particularly along national roads and bridges and see to it that reports of activities and accomplishments to this end are made available whenever necessary”, Singson said.

He further urged the public to also report to them all potential violations they see through text at 2920, call center at 165-02, or through their Facebook account dpwhco.