Mandaue removing campaign materials from public places

CEBU, Philippines – Mandaue City has begun to get rid of campaign materials from public places.

The city council has approved a proposed resolution which requests Mayor Jonas Cortes to order the Department of General Services (DGS), City Engineer's Office, all barangay captains, councilors, and SK who had either won or lost in the elections to remove campaign materials displayed in public places.

The resolution, authored by Councilor Demetrio Cortes Jr., states that all campaign materials, posters, and tarpaulins that are displayed or stuck on electrical posts, walls, fences, bridges, flyovers, railings, and waiting sheds should be removed now that the election is over.

Nevertheless, some candidates in the different barangays have started tearing down campaign materials.

Newly elected barangay Subangdaku captain Ernie Manatad said he together and his slate have already started tearing down posters and other materials they had just used.

So has Lulu Santos, the former protocol officer of Mayor Jonas Cortes who recently won as barangay councilor in barangay Centro.

Barangay Ibabao-Estancia reelected barangay captain Carmelino del Mar said his barangay at present is not worried about the aftermath of the elections because before the start of the elections they declared their barangay as a free poster area.

He said he is glad all candidates have abided with such policy and that residents are happy with the outcome because the barangay will only have to tear down campaign materials that were placed in designated places. 

Placido Jerusalem, the head of the Solid Waste Management, has also urged barangays to segregate campaign materials before these are disposed of to the city's material recovery facility.

He said that tarpaulins should be segregated from other campaign materials since these are non-biodegradable.

City Engineer Gregorio Omo said a team from his office has already started tearing down posters in the different barangays. (FREEMAN)