Environmental watchdog Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS) is urging the candidates of the incoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) to use sustainable practices by not using tarpaulins for their campaign materials.
Yvette Balayon-Mahinay, knowledge management officer of IDIS, said during the Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao on Monday that they are asking candidates not to use tarpaulins, particularly the thick variety, claiming that they contain disruptive chemicals that can be transmitted through inhalation.
She cited a study conducted by the EcoWaste Coalition, where it was found that PVC (PolyVinyl Chloride) tarpaulins contain high levels of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDC) especially phthalates which are extremely carcinogenic to human health.
This recommendation is in accordance with IDIS’s commitment to mitigate plastic waste and to endorse eco-friendly alternatives.
The group encouraged the candidates to strive for a zero-waste approach in their campaign efforts by choosing environmentally friendly alternatives to minimize the use of paper and plastic waste such as utilizing social media platforms to engage with voters as well as multimedia strategies like political jingles, performances, and other campaign methods.
The group calls on candidates and their supporters, including the voters, not to leave campaign materials as litter and to conduct thorough cleanup activities and ensure the proper collection and disposal of their campaign materials, including flyers and posters after the election.
Last year, former Mayor Sara issued Executive Order (EO) No. 15 series of 2022 in April mandating all local candidates to create their respective teams to retrieve, re-use, and recycle all local and national election paraphernalia in the city of Davao on May 10, 11, and 12, 2022.
In the said EO, local and national candidates are urged to be responsible in ensuring that their campaign materials are disposed of and properly managed after election day as this paraphernalia will no longer serve their purpose.
It also stated that there is a need to ensure that proper disposal of these campaign materials is observed to avoid contributing to more waste products and to promote effective waste management in the city.
“Last elections, wala mi exact number pero ubay ubay pud ang nakuha na tarpaulins and i-cite nato sa EO last year nga gigawas ni former Mayor Sara Duterte daghan na mga councilors, specially sa second and third districts, na nagbaklas sa ilahang mga tarpaulins and other campaign materials,” Mahinay said.
Meanwhile, Milky Shayne Gindon, policy advocacy officer of IDIS, called on the city government of Davao to expedite the creation of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the ordinance regulating the sale, distribution, and use of single-use plastics in Davao City, which is still pending at the City Mayor’s Office (CMO).
“We have to urge the city government of Davao na dalian ang IRR because we cannot know how to implement measures or unsaon pag hold accountable ang naa sa local level specially those who are running and planning to use tarps for their campaign materials,” Gindon said.
