AS POLITICAL activities blaze with the start of the campaign period, we urge all candidates to campaign “green” no matter what their political affiliations are. Regardless of official party colors – whether it’s blue, red, orange, purple, white or yellow – please “green” your campaign by addressing environmental issues in your electoral platforms and by campaigning in an eco-friendly way.
Protecting public health and the environment amid the global climate crisis is a necessity that should bring all aspiring political leaders together. We particularly ask major political coalitions and parties to bare their platforms for greening the environment and the economy, and for solving critical environmental and health issues such as chemicals and wastes.
We want to know how candidates intend to prevent and reduce air, water and soil pollution and protect the people’s living and working environments from chemicals and wastes. While some have spoken about it, we want all candidates to tell the Filipino people that our country is no dumping ground.
As actions speak louder than words, please roll out a green campaign that will not add to our garbage woes. To make this happen, why not designate task forces within the candidates’ respective campaign machineries who will take the responsibility for greening the campaign strategies and activities.
For trash-free campaign activities, they can start with these simple tips:
* Shun throwing confetti, exploding firecrackers or releasing balloons in campaign events.
* Refrain from using Styrofoam, plastic bags and other single-use containers for volunteers’ meals and drinks.
* Set up segregated waste bins in campaign assemblies.
* Tap eco-volunteers or waste pickers to handle the segregated waste bins for composting and recycling.
* Clean up right after the campaign event without dumping or burning campaign discards.
Greening the campaign is necessary to reduce the anticipated environmental costs of the massive campaign for national and local elective posts.
Yes, we have the right to know who among the candidates will champion the people’s right to a balanced and healthful ecology as enshrined in the Constitution.
