8 May 2025, Quezon City. As the mid-term election campaign enters its final stretch, an environmental watchdog group urged both national and local candidates to comply with Republic Act No. 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, and keep the polls “basura-free.” (waste-free)
The EcoWaste Coalition, an advocate for the human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, pleaded for “basura-free” polls as candidates conclude their grueling campaign with final motorcades and miting de avance.
RA 9003 prohibits littering and penalizes this environmental offense with a fine of P300 to P1,000 or one to 15-day community service, or both, the group reminded.
“As the official campaign period ends this Saturday, we appeal to all candidates to ensure that their remaining activities do not contribute to further environmental degradation,” said Cris Luague, Zero Waste Campaigner, EcoWaste Coalition. “Please do not turn the venues of your miting de avance into dumpsites. Enforce RA 9003 and the ‘clean as you go’ policy, as well as implement a ‘no smoking, no vaping’ policy.”
Organizers were likewise requested to refrain from lighting firecrackers, releasing balloons and throwing confetti in their final campaign meetings to prevent waste and pollution.
“On May 12, election day, please respect the ban on campaigning, including the distribution of sample ballots and flyers. Aside from being illegal, the distribution of such campaign materials contributes to the widespread littering observed in many polling places and their adjacent streets,” he said. “Children and the elderly should not be used by the candidates to distribute sample ballots like in past elections.”
“We also advise candidates to avoid using Styrofoam and other single-use plastics for the meals of their poll watchers and other volunteers. Cut down on plastic bottles by advising your teammates to bring their own water in reusable containers,” Luague said. “Also, remind them to use the segregated waste bins for their discards.”
For the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Election (BSKE) in 2023, for example, the EcoWaste Coalition monitored rampant littering in polling places visited with sample ballots and single-use plastic packaging for food and drinks as the most littered items found.
“Right after election, we urge all candidates to conduct post-campaign clean-up regardless of their success or failure to get the people’s trust and votes. Win or lose, go out and remove campaign materials and ensure their environmentally safe recycling or disposal in line with environmental and electoral laws,” Luague said.
Section 4 of Article IV of the COMELEC Resolution No. 11111 requires candidates to conduct post-election cleanup in accordance with COMELEC Resolution No. 11086, which provides for fair election rules, the EcoWaste Coalition pointed out.
The open burning and dumping of waste materials are strictly prohibited under the nation’s major environmental laws like RA 9003 and RA 8749, of the Clean Air Act.
The volume of campaign waste hauled to disposal sites can be reduced by recycling or finding appropriate and safe uses for the removed campaign materials, the EcoWaste Coalition said.
Win or lose, dismantle and clean up.
The group likewise reminded candidates to refrain from putting up “thank you” tarpaulins to cut on waste. “Candidates can better express their gratitude to the electorate and Mother Earth by fulfilling their campaign promises, and by not engaging in corrupt and dirty politics.”
References:
https://comelec.gov.ph/php-tpls-attachments/2025NLE/Resolutions/com_ress_11111.pdf
https://assistance.ph/comelec-resolution-11086-fair-campaign-rules/
