Trees Should Also Vote

I see no trees, I see their faces.

Although environment officials never failed to warn the politicians about the harmful effects of nailing their campaign materials on trees, they still continue posting them regardless. The clean and green advocate is somewhat missing at this point. If you go around public roads, plazas, parks, school and commercial premises, or any public ground, you'll see their pictures with deceiving bright smiles cover the entire spot. They seemed to be deaf of the warning, notwithstanding the charges they could face if found guilty of such.

The DENR requested the candidates and their supporters to desist from posting or nailing campaign materials and election paraphernalia on trees as it could scathe the environment. Environment officials also pointed out that nailing their posters / ads on trees causes wounds that starts the damage on it.

Poor environment, who will speak for it?

A resolution has already been issued by the Commission of Elections entitled "In the Matter of Deputizing the Metro Manila Development Authority and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for the purpose of implementing COMELEC Resolution No. 6520." This gives the license to the DENR and MMDA to tear down and remove campaign propaganda materials posted in public places outside the common poster areas; to tear down and remove illegal campaign materials wherever posted and displayed; to make report of said activities done by then; and to monitor and watch out for persons posting and distributing said unlawful election paraphernalia and to arrest said persons caught in flagrante delicto.

But I could only feel sorry for the environment. If such resolution is already being implemented, then why do I still see their faces nailed on poor trees? The rallies conducted by different political parties leave so much waste that hurts the nature. If these candidates are not concerned about the environment, then are they even worth a vote?

LAURICE A. CASTRO
BJ3-1