The local governments of Manila and Quezon City have started removing election campaign materials used during the May 9 polls.
During his Facebook live update on Wednesday, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso said he ordered the Department of Public Service (DPS) to clear the streets and other areas of campaign materials to prevent them from ending in riverways and esteros.
“I have ordered, and thanks to DPS Director Kenneth Amurao and City Engineering office at City Electrician Office, na kung saan tanggalin na ang mga naiwang paraphernalia ng mga kandidato sa poste, sa pader, sa bakod, sa mga commercial area, at mga kawad ng kuryente (to clear the paraphernalia left by the candidates in electric posts, walls, commercial areas, and power lines),” Domagoso said.
He also called on private individuals who may be having a hard time cleaning their areas to seek assistance from the city government.
Domagoso, who already conceded his defeat in the presidential race, said the city government will immediately respond to their requests.
Barangay officials are also encouraged to cooperate and clear their respective areas, he added.
Quezon City reelected Mayor Joy Belmonte has also directed the Department of Sanitation and Cleanup Works of Quezon City (DSQC) in cooperation with the city’s 142 barangays to conduct a massive clean-up drive.
“This is meant to ensure that election paraphernalia will be disposed of properly and not clog the city’s waterways. Kailangan nating masiguro na mabilis at maingat nating maililigpit ang mga campaign paraphernalia at hindi maging sanhi ng anumang problema sa ating lungsod (We need to ensure that these campaign paraphernalia are immediately taken away and not cause further problem in the city),” Belmonte said.
The DSQS and the Department of Public Order and Safety (DPOS), she said, have already collected tons of election campaign materials along Maginhawa Street and the nearby Barangay Teachers Village.
Meanwhile, reusable materials are temporarily kept at the barangay Commonwealth material recovery facility for possible recycling.
She also urged individual candidates to voluntarily remove their campaign posters to keep the city clean.
