Clean up poll mess, local governments told

‘ZERO-WASTE’ POLLS | In a press conference on Wednesday, recycling advocates from the environmentalist group Ecowaste Coalition give ideas on how tarpaulin campaign streamers and posters can have a second life, even if the political careers of some of the candidates would no longer have any. (Photo by GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government has given local governments and candidates three days to wipe out and dispose of all the campaign waste materials they produced in the recently concluded May 9 national and local elections.

“Cleanup of election litter is the first order of business after the polls. Aside from incumbent [local government] officials, we urge all candidates, winners and nonwinners alike, to take it upon themselves to lead in the removal of their campaign materials,” Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said in a statement on Wednesday.

In an advisory to local chief executives, he directed the proper disposal of election propaganda materials in line with environmental laws and local ordinances and regulations against illegal dumping, open burning, and littering.

Año also ordered barangays and local governments to utilize their material recovery facilities to collect and restore reusable materials, as well as in coming up with innovative and safe strategies to recycle or upcycle reusable campaign waste materials.

—DEXTER CABALZA

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