DENR 6 lauds LGUs for strong support to Oplan Baklas

Iloilo City- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region VI expressed its sincere gratitude to the various Local Government Units (LGUs) in Western Visayas for their unwavering support and active participation in the ongoing Oplan Baklas.

Oplan Baklas, an initiative in support to Section 30 of Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Resolution No. 11086 has required the removal of campaign materials after the election without the need for notice to local government units.

“This initiative is actually a strong support towards environmental sustainability and we laud the proactive stance of many local government units who readily deployed their Oplan Baklas teams to cleanup,” said DENR 6 OIC Regional Executive Director (RED) Raul L. Lorilla.

“Our various field offices have also partnered and supported our local government units around the region along with the Environmental Monitoring Officers (EnMOs) of our line bureau, the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), in their conduct of post-election removal of campaign materials,” added RED Lorilla.

As of presstime, a partial data of 1,667.29 kilograms of recovered tarpaulins have been recorded from the provinces of Iloilo, Capiz and Negros Occidental. EnMOs who are coordinating with the provinces of Aklan, Antique and Guimaras are yet to consolidate and submit their respective data to the Solid Waste Management Office of the EMB Region 6.

Moreover, prior to the election date, many local government units in the region also heeded DENR 6’s call for sparing the trees from damage. This collaborative effort has significantly contributed to the removal of illegally nailed posters and other materials from trees, a crucial step in preserving the region’s natural environment.

“We are deeply encouraged by the swift and decisive action taken by our LGUs in embracing Oplan Baklas,” said DENR 6 OIC Regional Executive Director (RED) Raul L. Lorilla. “Their commitment to enforcing environmental regulations and mobilizing their personnel has been instrumental in the successful removal of countless posters that harm our trees,” he added.

The practice of nailing campaign materials on trees do not only disfigures the urban landscape but also inflicts wounds on trees, making them vulnerable to pests, diseases, and stunted growth. In the long run, this can compromise the health and stability of the city’s green spaces and contribute to a decline in air quality.

Presidential Decree 953 aptly titled Requiring the Planting of Trees in Certain Places and Penalizing Unauthorized Cutting, Destruction, Damaging and Injuring of Certain Trees Plants and Vegetation prohibits injuring cutting, destroying or injuring of planted growing trees, flowering plants and shrubs or plants of scenic values.

The vital role of trees in maintaining a healthy ecosystem for the region cannot be overly emphasized. “Trees provide us with clean air, shade, and help regulate our climate. Protecting them from unnecessary damage is our shared responsibility,” RED Lorilla said.

Moreover, now that the midterm election is over, the DENR 6 hopes that this post-election cleanup will serve as a model for responsible waste management and inspire a greater awareness of environmental protection among the residents of Western Visayas.

“While we acknowledge the necessity of removing campaign materials as per COMELEC’s guidelines, we must also be mindful of the environmental consequences,” said RED Lorilla. “These materials often made of plastic and other non-biodegradable substances, significantly contribute to pollution if not disposed of properly,” he added./DENR 6