Candidates urged: Spare trees from poll posters

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7 has appealed to political parties and candidates in the May 2016 elections to “spare the trees from campaign materials.”

“We wish to remind our candidates running for various public offices next year 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,” DENR-7 Director Isabelo Montejo said.

He said nailing a certain material beyond the bark of a tree will impair the “vigor and structural integrity” of a tree as it invites attack by harmful insects, fungi, and diseases. He added that this would eventually cause the death of a tree.

Montejo explained that trees add color and aesthetic value of a place aside from providing a cooler environment and lessen the heat index particularly in urban area.

“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 said.

Dr. Eddie Llamedo, DENR-7 spokesperson and officer-in-charge of the Planning and Management Division, clarified that materials can still be posted on trees without piercing it.

“Ang mga campaign ads pwede ra ipapilit pero dili gyud ilansang,” he said.

“Trees are also living creatures that could get hurt or sick from infection, or die if left untreated for a long time,” he added.

The personnel of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office and the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office are already directed to closely monitor activities involving the placing of posters, advertisements or any material pierced on trees.

The monitoring started since June this year. — (FREEMAN)