BUTUAN CITY – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Northeastern Mindanao (The Caraga Region) started its environmental cleanup on Friday by dismantling thousands of tarpaulins installed by candidates on trees.
The DENR’s regional, provincial and city offices removed close to 5,000 tarpaulins in five provinces and six cities of the region as the agency stepped up its implementation of “Oplan Baklas” in various parts of the region on Friday, 11 days before the national elections.
In a progress report to DENR Secretary Jim O. Sampulna, DENR 13 Regional Executive Director (RED) Nonito M. Tamayo said officials and personnel of the provincial and community environment and Natural resources offices (PENROs, CENROs) in the region’s five provinces and six cities went out of their respective offices to thoroughly implement ‘Oplan Baklas.’
About 4,763 pieces of tarpaulins bearing political propaganda that were posted on trees and other structures along non-designated poster areas had already been removed.
“Our respective PENROs and CENROs led their respective personnel to protect grown trees planted along the roads and other areas in the region, in relation to our tree planting program,” said RED Tamayo, in an exclusive interview with The Manila Bulletin, late Friday afternoon.
The clearing operation was supported by the Commission on Election (Comelec), the Philippine National Police, and the local government units.
The intensified implementation of ‘Oplan Baklas’ by the DENR and the concerned line agencies is in compliance with the Memorandum Order (MO) issued by Secretary Sampulna on March 21, 2022, for the promotion of environmentally-conscious national election campaigns.
Republic Act 357 prohibits the "cutting, destroying, or injuring of planted or growing trees, flowering plants, and shrubs or plants of scenic value along public roads, in plazas, parks, schools premises, or any other public ground.”
“This (MO) must be strictly followed in an objective to protect and preserve our environment not only for this current generation but also for the next generation,” stressed Sec. Sampulna, in a phone conversation.
Meanwhile, Surigao del Norte PENRO Officer Victor Sabornido reported that the agency had removed on Wednesday close to 400 election campaign materials along public roads, particularly those posted in different non-designated poster areas.