TODAY starts the campaign period for local elective posts for the May 13 midterm elections. A waste and pollution watch group is challenging candidates to add in their campaign platforms the protection and preservation of the environment.
But as actions speak louder than words, candidates must show their being pro-environment by mounting a clean and green campaign.
To prevent and reduce trash during the election campaign, the EcoWaste Coalition encourages candidates to observe the following:
* Stick to lawful propaganda materials and allowable campaign spending.
* Avoid campaign materials that are toxic, non-reusable or non-recyclable.
* For paper-based campaign materials, use post-consumer recycled paper.
* Incorporate this reminder on campaign materials: “Para sa ating kalusugan at kalikasan, huwag pong ikalat, itambak o sunugin” or its equivalent in local languages.
* Keep trees, lamp posts, and other disallowed places poster-free.
* Voluntarily take down all illegal campaign materials.
* Keep campaign meetings and sorties litter-free, plastic-free and smoke-free.
* Shun confetti, firecrackers and balloons in campaign events, and immediately conduct post-event cleanup.
* Refrain from using Styrofoam, plastic bags and other single-use containers for meals and drinks.
* Remove, repurpose or recycle campaign materials immediately after the polling day.
We badly need local leaders who will bravely take up the cudgels for Mother Earth and all creations amid the unfolding climate, chemical and plastic crisis. We need dedicated public servants who will help enforce laws and regulations that have been or have to be enacted to protect the public health and environment. We need leaders who will champion pollution prevention policies and programs to halt the continued degradation of the environment due to wastes and pollutants coming from factories, farms, markets and even from our homes, schools and offices.
All candidates must show their respect for the environment in words and in deeds.
