Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 28) — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) took down 114,664 campaign materials nailed and tacked on trees under the Oplan Baklas program.
The DENR on Wednesday reported that the regions of Zamboanga Peninsula, Central Luzon and Bicol recorded the highest number of confiscated election materials.
Acting Environment Secretary Jim Sampulna said the confiscated campaign materials were posted beyond the common poster areas designated by the Commission on Elections. These were also violations of environmental laws.
Republic Act 3571 prohibits cutting, destroying, or injuring planted or growing trees, flowering plants and shrubs or plants of scenic value along public roads, in plazas, parks, school premises, or in any other public pleasure grounds.
Section 3 of Presidential Decree No. 953 states that violators could be punished with imprisonment from six months to two years, or a fine of P500 and not more than P5,000, or both.
The DENR will give the confiscated campaign materials to organizations that can recycle the materials into school bags and other things.
