THE Cagayan de Oro City Local Environment and Natural Resources Office (Clenro) is urging all candidates to clean up and remove their election paraphernalia now that the election period is over.
Clenro head Armen Cuenca said his office will also conduct "plogging" on Friday, May 17, a regular activity of Clenro where people pick up trash while on a run.
Cuenca said they will also tap students under the Special Program for Employment of Students (Spes) as their augmentation force in the plogging activity.
"Ikalipay nato nga sila motangtang, kay ila man ng responsibilidad (We will be happy if they remove it themselves because it is their responsibility)," Cuenca said.
He said Clenro will also look at recycling these election materials, such as tarpaulin.
Ecowaste Coalition, a non-government organization, also asked candidates to sort the dismantled campaign materials and upcycle them.
"Regardless of the outcome of your election bid, we appeal to all candidates and parties to take down your campaign materials without delay. Kabit, sabit o dikit mo, tanggal mo,” said Aileen Lucero, national coordinator.
“Sort the dismantled campaign materials and upcycle them as much as possible,” she added.
“Upcycling, or the creative reuse of discards, is a practical way of saving resources from being burned or sent to the dumps and landfills for disposal,” she said.
According to the group, decreased garbage volume, lower disposal cost, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, conservation of resources, cleaner surroundings and enhanced environmental awareness are some of the benefits of upcycling election campaign materials.
"There is also a need to 'responsibilize' candidates and parties in the mandatory removal and environmentally sound management of campaign materials right after election," Lucero said.