EcoWaste coalition: Spare trees from election posters, tarpaulins

Environmental group EcoWaste Coalition on Wednesday called on Eleksyon 2025 candidates to "spare trees" from posters and other campaign materials. 

“Nailing, pinning and stapling campaign banners and posters on trees can cause stress and harm to these irreplaceable partners in making our communities healthy, livable and sustainable… Harm not the trees. Nurture and protect them instead,” said Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS) Executive Director Atty. Mark Peñalver.

The group reminded that said actions were made illegal under Comission on Elections (Comelec) Resolution No. 11111, as well as Republic Act No. 3571 that prohibited cutting, destroying, or injuring planted or growing trees.

“As the election campaign goes full blast, we ask all candidates and their supporters to abide by ecological and legal practices and save our trees and the environment as a whole from abuse and disrespect… Torture not the trees. Please keep them banner- and poster-free,” added EcoWaste Coalition National Coordinator Aileen Lucero.

They also added that according to COMELEC Resolution No. 11086, candidates in violation of the above-mentioned resolutions would be prosecuted under RA 3571, which called for 6 months to 2 years imprisonment of violators, a fine of P500 to P5,000, and perpetual disqualification from public service.

“We urge all candidates and their supporters to heed the Comelec guidelines to make the midterm elections environmentally caring as much as possible,” emphasized the group.

Previously, the coalition conducted a protest in front of the Comelec headquarters to call for a waste-free election in May.

—Jiselle Anne Casucian/ VAL, GMA Integrated News

For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.