Quezon City councilors eye ‘green’ polls with ban on plastic posters

Several councilors in Quezon City have drafted a measure that prohibits the use of campaign posters made of nonrecyclable materials, including plastic, during the 2013 elections.

Under the proposed ordinance, violators will be meted out a fine ranging from P1,000 to P5,000. Third-time offenders, on the other time, could end up serving time in prison.

In pushing for the approval of the measure, Councilors Dorothy Delarmente, Francisco Calalay Jr., Joseph Juico, Raquel Malangen, Ricardo Belmonte Jr., Eden Delilah Medina, Roderick Paulate, Julienne Alyson Rae Medalla and Gian Carlo Sotto stressed that it was the duty of public officials and aspiring politicians to take part in effective solid waste management projects.

According to them, the indiscriminate disposal of nonbiodegradable garbage that end up in waterways and drainage systems can lead to flashfloods in Quezon City.

“Nonbiodegradable [plastics] are being used as campaign materials during election time. The usage of plastic posters and their typical disposal create significant litter problems in the city and sometimes [lead to the clogging] of canals and sewerage systems that cause floods,” they said.

According to the draft ordinance, noncompliance will mean a fine of P1,000 for a first-time offender and P3,000 for a second-time offender.  A third-time offender, on the other hand, faces a fine of P5,000 or imprisonment of not less than a week or both.

The personnel of the city’s Environmental Protection and Waste Management Department and the Parks Development Administration will be in charge of implementing the ordinance’s provisions following its approval.