Two towns lack ballot boxes

CEBU, Philippines — At least two municipalities in Cebu lack the needed ballot boxes for the upcoming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

The municipalities of Dumanjug and Cordova requested the City of Mandaue to borrow extra ballot boxes. The requests were denied by City Treasurer Regal Oliva because the city only has enough.

"I have to decline lending ballot boxes because Mandaue has enough lang gyud," Oliva said in a text message to The Freeman.

Lawyer Lionel Marco Castillano, Commission on Elections-Cebu election supervisor, asked the other towns to lend their extra ballots to Dumanjug and Cordova.

"Kay kung walay protesta pwede man na nimo habwaan. We must remember that the yellow ballot box was used 2013 pa, so pasabot wala nay protesta ana pwde na na siya, ihabwa ang sulod ana para magamit," Castillano said.

Castillano said the Comelec central office has stopped sending ballot boxes to the towns and cities to save funds.

"Magsinabtanay lang ta. Kinahanglan man na gamiton,  siguro kaning mga municipality nga mangayo they’ll help the city or lungsod sa pagpanghabwa," Castillano said.

He reminded the municipal and city treasurers who will lend their extra ballot boxes to make sure that these will be returned or they will face charges.

"Atong huna hunaon nga as custodian imo ng tulobagon kung nawala ng property so naa gyud tulobagon kay dapat iimbentaryo na nimo. Naa bayay record ang Comelec kung pila tanan nadawat nimo," Castillano said.

DENR Warning

Meanwhile, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Central Visayas (DENR-Region 7) warned aspiring politicians against nailing or piercing campaign materials on trees.

DENR-7 Director Gilbert Gonzales reminded the candidates that the act is prohibited.

“We wish to remind our candidates running for various public offices that putting up of streamers and tarpaulins on trees especially when using iron nails could severely or seriously damage the health condition of the trees,” Gonzales said.

“We urge our candidates to think and act ‘green’ by not putting anything on trees that will injure or inflict harm on them as we need our trees to capture or absorb carbon dioxide which is one of the greenhouse gases,” he added.

Gonzales emphasized that trees still bring several benefits as they add color and aesthetic value to a place; and provide cooler environment since it lessens the heat intensity especially in urban areas.

Gonzales directed the provincial and community environment and natural resources officers to coordinate closely with the local government units in monitoring the campaign materials for the upcoming elections.

Gonzales said the regional office is continually monitoring people or entities that are violating existing environmental policies. Those responsible are advised to remove the pierced materials or else appropriate actions will be imposed on them, he added.

Republic Act 3571 prohibits the injuring of trees or other plants along public roads or parks, schools and other public places. A similar prohibition is also provided under Presidential Decree 953.

Violators will be meted out a penalty of imprisonment for not less than six months and not more than two years. Violators may also be fined with not less than P500 and not more than P5,000. Or both shall be imposed upon the discretion of the court. —/FPL (FREEMAN)