QC bans plastic political posters

MANILA, Philippines–Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista has signed an ordinance that bans the use of plastic posters, including tarpaulin banners, in political campaigns and advertisements in the locality.

The measure was proposed last year by Quezon City aldermen from the different districts in anticipation of the campaign period for local seats where contenders are enjoined to stop using plastic posters as campaign materials.

Penalties for the violation of the ordinance prohibiting the use of polyethylene (plastic) advertisement and propaganda materials range from P3,000 to P5,000 and community service as well as possible revocation of permit to operate for corporations.

“The expansive usage of plastic posters as campaign materials during election time and their typical disposal creates significant litter problems in the city and sometimes clogs up canals and sewerage systems that cause floods,” the ordinance states.

It was observed that plastic posters and tarpaulins are commonly used in advertisement and political propaganda. While tarpaulins can be reused, plastic posters are “the ones that are usually found disposed in waterways.”

According to the ordinance, “There is an urgency to come up with a policy that will prohibit the use of plastic advertisement and propaganda materials to somehow address environmental impact concern and disaster risk reduction for the people of Quezon City.”

The proposed law explicitly prohibits the use of advertisement or propaganda materials in Quezon City and any person, firm or corporation who will transport, sell, or is in possession of the banned materials shall be held liable for the violation of the ordinance.

Violators would be given a notice of violation for a first offense; a fine of P3,000 and three days of community service for a second offense; and a P5,000 fine and three days of community service for a third offense.

Firms and corporations who violate the ordinance are to be given a notice of violation for a first offense; a P3,000 fine for a second offense; and a fine of P5,000 as well as revocation of their permits to operate for a third offense.