Loot wants Comelec to preserve town’s ‘stunning scenery’

CEBU, Philippines - Daanbantayan Mayor Ma. Luisa Loot has requested the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to let its task force tear down and remove campaign posters along the highways to preserve the “stunning scenery” of the municipality.

Loot said that with the election season, it is expected that unregulated posting of campaign materials will be rampant.

“The local government unit of this municipality is henceforth bothered that such materials will destroy the current aesthetic image of our highways,” said Loot in her letter to Provincial Election Supervisor Eddie Aba.

Loot asked Aba to give attention to protecting the beautiful highways by full enforcement of election laws and related local ordinances.

Loot said that posters can be placed in private places like houses and fences provided the owner will allow but not on the trees along the highways.

Loot told The FREEMAN that the municipality and the barangays spent millions in the beautification program and the maintenance of the ornamental plants along the highways.

The municipality has its own beautification program even if it was not included in the province-wide program when Loot and suspended Governor Gwendolyn Garcia were at odds.  Loot also asked the Comelec to remind political parties the guidelines in the conduct of rallies, meetings and other political activities.

Comelec Resolution 9615 provides that subject to the requirements of the local ordinances on the issuance of permits, any political party supporting official candidates and parties or any candidates, individually or jointly with other aspirants, may hold peaceful political meetings, rallies or other similar activities during the campaign period.

Loot said the municipality has an ordinance to support the provision of the said Comelec resolution.

She assured that the municipality shall grant permits of rallies of their opponents except if these will be held in private places.

Loot added that tennis or basketball courts located in the barangays are properties of the municipal government, thus there’s a need to secure a permit should there be rallies and meetings to be held in these facilities. —/MBG (FREEMAN)