DAVAO CITY – A Davao City-based environmental group urged newly elected barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials to be more proactive in addressing environmental issues.

Mark Peñalver, executive director of the Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS), said that local leaders should have a better grasp not only of pressing environmental concerns but also their mandate under the Local Government Code and other laws in carrying out their responsibilities.

“With the conclusion of the BSKE (barangay and SK elections) and, as we await the announcement of those who are given the privilege and responsibility to lead their barangays and the youth sector, we expect the newly elected barangay and SK leaders to be more proactive especially on issues affecting the environmental situation within their jurisdiction,” he added.

Peñalver said that they expect a more proactive participation of the barangay local government units in the time of climate crisis.

He said that the barangay should strictly enforce  Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, the Watershed Code Ordinance, and No to Single-Use Plastics Ordinance of 2021.

Last October 25, the environmental group called on voters to elect leaders who “uphold the values of responsibility and integrity” after candidates in Barangay Talomo Proper and Barangay Bangkal here posted campaign materials on trees in violation of the rules set by the Commission on Elections.

According to the poll body, illegal campaign “includes violation of the standard size of posters, tarpaulins, and other campaign paraphernalia set at two by three feet and the posting of materials in illegal spaces not included in common poster areas like trees, electric wires, and electric posts, among others."

“It's important for us, as voters, to be mindful of candidates who do not follow these election regulations and to choose individuals who demonstrate respect for the rules governing the electoral process,” the Comelec said.