Barangay, SK Bets Told to Lead Cleanup Campaign

MANILA, Philippines — Green advocates called on the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) candidates to lead a community cleanup drive to get rid of leaflets, stickers, posters, streamers, buntings, and sample ballots, after the elections.

“Win or lose, we appeal to poll candidates to start removing all banners, posters and other campaign materials from around their communities,” Ecological Waste Coalition (EcoWaste) president Roy Alvarez said.

The group noted that despite the limited campaign period of only 10 days, Barangay and SK bets spent tons of paper and plastic materials to reach out and win over their grassroots constituents.

“Sooner or later, these materials will degenerate into health and environmental hazards, turning into garbage, blocking storm drains or falling onto innocent motorists or pedestrians,” Alvarez pointed out.

EcoWaste specifically advised incoming barangay chairpersons to lead the community cleanup drive.

As the barangay chief executive, the chairperson is mandated under Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code, to enforce laws and regulations pertaining to pollution control and environmental protection.

Likewise, under RA 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, a barangay chairperson is tasked to head the Barangay Solid Waste Management Committee, which, among others, is responsible for drawing up and implementing a waste plan, including the establishment of a materials recovery facility to promote recycling.

“Please salvage materials that can still be repurposed and do not just throw or burn them,” Alvarez said.

Ellalyn de Vera, Manila Bulletin