THE INTERFACING Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS) has long been campaigning against using PVC (polyvinyl chloride) tarpaulins and other campaign paraphernalia during elections.
However, Yvette Balayon-Mahinay, IDIS Knowledge Management officer, said that candidates often ignore their call to also pay attention to the potential ecological damage these plastics cause.
“Naa rapud sa ilaha (politicians) kung mugamit pa sila. Kami na mga organizations, wala mi nagkulang, ang atong local government units (LGU) naa napu’y actions about this, but it’s still up to the politicians. Siguro kulang pud sila og prioritization sa environment. I know that there’s a fund for this, but they don’t have prioritizations for the green campaigns,” Mahinay said.
Mahinay also mentioned an Ecowaste Coalition study citing that PVC tarpaulins contain Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), a chemical transmitted through inhalation that may interfere with the body’s hormones.
With the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections, Milky Shayne Gindon, IDIS policy advocacy officer, said they have been recommending green vote, urging aspirants to promote sustainable initiatives towards campaign strategies, by using alternatives, such as focusing on utilizing social media to engage with voters, campaign jingles, among others.
Gindon also said they urged the LGUs to push for the Single-Use Plastic Implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR), to help them implement the specific ordinance.
“What we can do is to urge the LGU, because we cannot know how to implement measures or unsaon pag-held accountable ang mga naa sa local level, especially those who are running and are planning to use tarps for their campaign materials,” she added.
Last election, IDIS had collected a great number of garbage, particularly tarpaulins, and were relieved that some councilors from the second and third districts detached campaign materials following the executive order from former City Mayor, and now vice-president Sara Duterte.
IDIS said they will also have a lobby meeting with the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office next week, and expect that the IRR will be signed by Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte.
