Watchdog Says Election Day Not a Field Day for Litterbugs

May 09, 2016

Watchdog Says Election Day Not a Field Day for Litterbugs

Margarita Roxas Elementary School, Augusto Francisco St., Manila

Fernando Ma. Guerrero Elementary School, Pedro Gil St., Manila

Villamor High School, Pasig Line, Manila

Villamor High School, Pasig Line, Manila

A waste and pollution watchdog group warned against littering as millions of voters troop to the polling stations today.

Fearing repeat of unrestrained littering that marred past elections, the EcoWaste Coalition made a last-minute appeal to the public to go out and vote without defiling our shard environment.

“On this historic day for democracy, let us treat our surroundings with more respect and litter no more,” said Aileen Lucero, Coordinator, EcoWaste Coalition.

“We will not get tired of reminding ourselves not to litter; hope springs eternal,” she added.

Specifically, she requested the voting public to keep the polling precincts and their immediate vicinities litter-free.

“Please do not discard sample ballots, the most notorious litter on election day, in polling places or on the streets,” Lucero said.

Other commonly littered items include cigarette filters, candy and snack wrappers, food and beverage containers and plastic bags, the group noted.

“Election day is not a field day for litterbugs,” Lucero emphasized.

Littering, she reminded, is a prohibited act under R.A. 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, which provides for a punishment of P300 to P1,000 fine or one to 15-day community service, or both.

Meanwhile, the EcoWaste Coalition, a non-partisan group, lauded the massive miting de avance of team Duterte-Cayetano last Saturday at Rizal Park for keeping trash at a minimum.

Please see video by Pia Ranada of Rappler here:

https://twitter.com/piaranada/status/728999487390121984

“Thumbs up to the organizers and their supporters for their commendable act of picking up the trash after the event and for not passing the burden to the park sweepers. Thanks to the waste pickers for retrieving the recyclables, too,” Lucero said.

“People voluntarily picking up litter was a sight to behold,” she said.

Based on reports gathered by the group, the rallies organized by team Poe-Escudero at Plaza Miranda and team Roxas-Robredo at the Quezon Memorial Circle were blighted with trash.