Political aspirants told: Include environment in agenda

CEBU, Philippines - Ecowaste Coalition, a non-profit environmental watchdog, is calling on those who will run in next year’s polls to avoid generating too much garbage from campaign materials.

The group calls those who will do so as “garpol,” a combination of “garbage” and “politician.”

It also appeals for candidates to stay true to any promise of protecting the environment.

“Candidates often say ‘I will serve the people and protect the environment,’ but fail to match words with deeds,” said Aileen Lucero, the coalition’s coordinator, in a statement.

“From the filing of their COCs to the designated campaign period, we urge candidates to be mindful of what they do to prevent and reduce the wasting of resources and the dirtying of the surroundings.  Please refrain from being a ‘garpol,’” Lucero added,

The filing of COCs, the coalition said, should be done in a simple way sans extravagant gimmicks, motorcades and wasteful use of propaganda materials that will only add to garbage, pollution and traffic woes.

As the official campaign period is yet to commence, the group urged candidates to shun premature campaigning out of delicadeza.

 “Premature campaigning such as the tarps with the faces and names of politicos nailed on trees leaves a bad taste to the mouth,” Lucero said.

Per Comelec Resolution 9981, the campaign period for the presidential, vice-presidential and senatorial candidates and party-list groups will be from February 9 to May 7, 2016 while the campaign period for congressional and other local elective positions will start on March 25 and until May 7, 2016.

Just like in previous polls, the group will actively promote waste prevention and reduction before, during and after the campaign period, and call attention to practices that pose hazard to human health and the environment.  (FREEMAN)