Removal of campaign materials begin

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday began taking down campaign posters following the May midterm elections.

MMDA personnel initiated “Oplan Baklas” at the Regalado bridge on Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City. The collected materials will be transported to facilities in the Ortigas and Marikina areas.

The removed campaign materials are slated for donation to partner beneficiaries, including prisons, the organization for the handicapped Tahanang Walang Hagdan, and the environmental group EcoWaste Coalition.

Earlier, the EcoWaste Coalition urged candidates to assist in the removal of their campaign materials.

“This isn’t just about picking up trash. It is about setting the tone for responsible leadership,” said Cris Lague of EcoWaste Coalition. “Candidates should not disappear after election day.”

Lague emphasized that the campaign litter reflects poorly on candidates and that cleaning up is the least they can do. He noted that this is a recurring problem, highlighting the frequent neglect of environmental impact by candidates during campaigns.

The EcoWaste Coalition also called on Comelec and the Department of the Interior and Local Government to coordinate with local governments to improve the enforcement of post-election cleanup rules and establish long-term measures to reduce campaign waste in future elections.

“This cycle of waste and neglect has to end,” the group stated. “If candidates truly want to lead, they must show that they can also clean up after themselves and protect the environment while doing so.”