MANILA, Philippines - A lawmaker asked yesterday candidates and their supporters to avoid nailing or tacking campaign posters on trees.
Agham Rep. Angelo Palmones said that in 2010 he filed a bill seeking to prohibit the hanging and nailing of advertisements and posters on trees.
House Bill 3539 aims to protect trees planted along highways and in public places from posting of bills and advertisements, he added.
The bill also seeks to promote to the highest degree possible the involvement of all sectors of society in the protection of trees, Palmones said.
Under the bill, the prohibition would cover posting of bills and advertisements on trees and similar plants along national highways and provincial, city and municipal roads and other streets and those found in public places such as national, provincial, city and municipal parks.
The bill seeks a fine of P2,000 for each single act or posting on one tree for the first offense.
For second offense the fine is doubled, while third offense is triple the fine of the first offense or imprisonment for a minimum of six months and maximum of 12 months or both.
For the fourth and succeeding offense the fine is double of the previous fine or imprisonment.
Fines would be payable to the city or municipality where the offense occurred, provided that the provincial government shall have a share of 30 percent of fines paid.
He would file the bill again in the 16th Congress should Agham be voted back, Palmores said.