Cavite LGUs give campaign materials a second life
At A Glance
- In the aftermath of the midterm elections, Cavite LGUs and environmental advocates are calling not just for cleanup, but for a shift toward sustainable campaigning and shared accountability for election-related waste.
CAVITE – Local government units (LGUs) have launched recycling initiatives to give campaign materials a second life following the midterm elections.
In Bacoor City, 39,654 pieces or 5,549 kilos of tarpaulins have been collected by the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), volunteer environmental consultant Theresa Calo told the Manila Bulletin on Thursday, May 15.
The tarpaulins will be used by the City Livelihood and Development Office to make various recycled items.
Also collected were 407 kilos of plastics and 13 kilos of tie wires, which will be forwarded to a resource recovery facility and partner junk shops.
The 606 kilos of wood and 453 kilos of bamboo, meanwhile, will be used as tree guards within the Bacoor City Hall and throughout Daanghari Road, Diversion road, Longos, and Bacoor Boulevard.
In Imus City, CENRO led the clearing operations in coordination with the City Engineering Office, the City of Imus Task Force for Road Clearing, barangay officials, and Bantay Kalikasan street sweepers.
“Kausap na rin namin 'yung barangay captains na sa kanilang mga barangay, 'yung mga kaya nilang tanggalin na mga tarpaulin, matulungan na kami na matanggal… Mahirap kasi kung isa lang ang gumagalaw. Okay sa amin 'yung coordination with different sectors (We are in coordination with barangay captains so that in their respective barangays, they can help take down any campaign tarpaulins. It is difficult if only one group is doing the work, so we really appreciate the coordination with different sectors),” Imus CENRO Officer-in-Charge Phoebe Januarie Camaisa told the Manila Bulletin.
As of May 13, the LGU has retrieved 80% of campaign materials in 97 barangays.
Tarpaulins in good condition will be sent to the city’s materials recovery facility, where they will be repurposed into bags, fans, and other useful items. Their recycling shop also processes rejected plastic packaging materials into woven bags.
Worn out pieces not suitable for reuse, meanwhile, will be given to partner facilities that convert tarpaulins into bricks and wall panels.
Minimizing waste rather than just managing it post-elections
While recycling helps reduce post-election waste, Calo pointed out that the best approach is to start with sustainability.
“Siguro 'yung tinatawag na digital campaign, naka-focus sa social media platforms, email campaigns, at websites. Tapos 'yung personal outreach, 'yung door-to-door approach (They can do digital campaign focused on social media platforms, email campaigns, and websites. Then there's personal outreach, like the door-to-door approach),” the environmental consultant pointed out.
“Siyempre, meron ding paggamit ng eco-friendly and reusable materials… Dapat sumunod din sa ordinance regarding proper disposal of campaign materials (Of course, there’s also the use of eco-friendly and reusable materials… Candidates should also comply with ordinances on the proper disposal of campaign materials).”
In a press release issued on May 13, the EcoWaste Coalition reiterated that all candidates—winners and losers alike—should be held accountable for the waste left behind by their campaigns.
“This cycle of waste and neglect has to end. If candidates truly want to lead, they must show that they can also clean up after themselves and protect the environment while doing so,” the statement said.