The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-6) has reminded all candidates in the May 2022 elections to be mindful of the environment and spare trees from their campaign materials and activities.
DENR-6 Regional Executive Director Livino B. Duran said the campaign materials should always have their designated posting areas.
He emphasized that the use of iron nails or gun tacker will only injure or damage the health condition of trees.
“It would cut through the trees’ protective bark and pierces the inside of a tree, which causes the entry of harmful organisms. Some studies found that it could even cause cancer on trees,” said Duran.
Duran also encouraged the candidates to recycle their campaign materials after the election or perhaps, eliminate the use of single-use plastics/wastes by going digital with their campaign.
Section 3 of Presidential Decree 953 prohibits the cutting, destroying, damaging or injuring of naturally grown and planted trees of any kind unless it is necessary for public safety.
The law also imposes punishment for violators with six months but not more than two years of imprisonment or with a fine of not less than five hundred pesos but not more than five thousand pesos, or with both such imprisonment than fine at the discretion of the court.
The DENR-6 warned that campaign materials posted on trees will be removed immediately without prior notice and regardless of who the owners are.IMT
