THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Bacolod City urged the barangay officials to monitor the posting of illegal campaign materials within their areas of jurisdiction.
Maria Joy Maredith Madayag, director of DILG-Bacolod, said on Wednesday, March 13, that the department is helping the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in reminding the barangay officials on the implementation of prohibited acts in connection with the May elections.
“They should ensure that their facilities will not be used by the candidates. All campaign materials should be posted in the identified common poster areas within their barangays,” she said.
It is the obligation of the barangay officials to implement the Omnibus Election Code, and the candidates, both local and national, should also observe the common poster areas in various barangays, said Madayag.
The DILG official also reminded the barangay officials that they should be non-partisan.
Comelec earlier identified at least 92 common poster areas in the 61 barangays in Bacolod for the May 13 elections.
Most of the identified common poster areas are highway vacant lots, covered courts, gymnasiums, and areas near the barangay hall.
Aside from the identified common poster areas, the Comelec officer earlier said that the candidates can also post campaign materials in private properties as long as they have the consent of the lot owner and its materials should not exceed two feet by three feet.
Meanwhile, Madayag said she already issued an advisory to all the barangay officials that from March 29 to May 2, they are prohibited from hiring or appointing new employees, creating new positions, promoting or giving salary increases, constructing public works and delivering materials for public works, among others. (MAP)