Nograles, Avila deny using plastic posters

Two local candidates denied using non-biodegradable plastic for their campaign posters following the Commission on Election’s (Comelec) ban on plastic posters here in Davao City.
Reelectionist Congressman Karlo Nograles told Edge Davao that he is using biodegradable material for his campaign posters.
“You can take a look at it (posters), we only have biodegradable posters and paper posters,” he said.
Plastic posters of Rep. Nograles dotted areas along major roads in the city even prior to the local campaign season.
Pro-environment advocate Leo Avila, a comebacking council aspirant, also said that he does not have plastic posters but admitted some of his tarpaulins are for reuse after the elections.
Avila said he is not against the use of plastic campaign materials “as long as the candidates who use it (plastic posters) have the responsibility to properly dispose or recycle the plastic posters.”
Comelec Resolution No. 9615, Section 6, provides that candidates must avoid materials that contain hazardous chemicals and substances in the production of their campaign and election propaganda.
He said, “what is lamentable is, if after the campaign they will forget that they placed their plastic posters in certain areas.”
Comelec Region 11 director, lawyer Wilfredo Jay Balisado told Edge stressed that Comelec discourages the use of plastic for campaign materials.
“Candidates should observe local ordinances that prohibit the use of plastic in placing ads,” said Balisado referring to the clarification in RA 9615 that plastic shall be banned in local government units where there is an existing ordinance banning the same.
Davao City is among ten LGUs in the country with an ordinance banning the use of non-biodegradable plastic.