Partido Lakas ng Masa (PLM) presidential candidate Leodegario “Ka Leody” De Guzman has adopted the use of eco-friendly materials for his campaign paraphernalia and at the same time issued a “green challenge” to his rivals.
“Bilang pagsasakongkreto ng ating paninindigan at plataporma para sa kalikasan, gagamit tayo ng biodegradable materials sa ating mga (As a way to concretize our environmental platform, we will be using biodegradable materials for our) campaign paraphernalia,” De Guzman’s campaign team announced on Tuesday, March 1.
“Sa tindi ng problema ng bansa sa polusyon at krisis sa klima, hindi sapat ang paglalagay lamang ng mga isyu't kahilingan sa plataporma, ang kailangan ay kagyat na aksyon (Because of how bad the country’s pollution problem is, it is not enough to speak about the issue as a platform, immediate action is necessary),” he stressed.
De Guzman’s new campaign materials are made of “stone paper"--a material fashioned from approximately 80 percent limestone and 20 percent bio-polyethylene resin. It does not need to be bleached and it is also biodegradable.
Meanwhile, the labor leader issued a “green challenge” to his Palace seat rival, and asked that they adopt the use of biodegradable materials for campaign paraphernalia. They were also prodded to include pro-environment policies in their electoral platforms.
“Talikuran ang makalat, marumi, at magastos na kampanyang pumapabor sa mga bilyonaryong tumutustos sa election expenses ng mga kandidato para proteksyunan ang kanilang mga negosyo (Turn away from the messy and expensive campaigns of candidates who favor billionaires. Billionaires fund these candidates in order to protect their own interests and businesses),” De Guzman said.
Some of De Guzman’s pro-environment platforms include switching to renewable energy sources through government-private sector collaboration, phasing out coal-fired power plants, and ending destructive mining and logging.
De Guzman is vying for the presidency alongside running mate Walden Bello. The PLM Senate slate includes two environmental activists--Roy Cabonegro and David D’ Angelo.