Several agencies aim formally joining forces soon to better monitor compliance of election candidates, political parties and party lists with Republic Acts 9003 (Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000) and 3571 which prohibits cutting, destroying or injuring plants along public roads, in plazas, parks, school premises and other public areas nationwide.
The environment and interior departments, Commission on Elections, National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC) and other agencies decided pursuing the matter through the 'Basura-Free Elections 2013' campaign to help make this year's mid-term polls environment-friendly.
"Volume of garbage increases during the election period due to proliferation of campaign paraphernalia so this and indiscriminate posting of candidates' posters on trees must be addressed," said NSWMC Secretariat Deputy Exec. Dir. Eligio Ildefonso.
This week, the agencies commenced finalizing the joint memorandum circular for 'Basura-Free Elections 2013.'
Such agencies plan signing the circular at the campaign's launching in Metro Manila.
Ildefonso said the target launching date is March 20 before local campaigning starts.
The draft circular as of March 8 lists election candidates' and political parties' responsibilities in mounting respective environment-friendly poll bids.
Among such responsibilities are adherence to litter-free campaigning, minimal use of non-reusable and disposable materials as well as observance of proper waste segregation, reuse, recycling, reduction and disposal.
Poll hopefuls must also clean up areas where they held election-related activities, coordinate with local waste collectors for proper disposal of garbage generated and adhere to RA 3571, notes the draft circular.
The draft document further provides that "any local official, political party or candidate to the May 2013 elections who willfully or through negligence fails to observe provisions of this Joint Memorandum Circular shall be subject to sanctions provided under the Local Government Code, Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 and other applicable laws."
No comments:
Post a Comment