𝑷𝑼𝑺𝑼𝑨𝑵 '𝑾𝑨𝑮 𝑷𝑨𝑲𝑼𝑨𝑵 - Philippine Laws and Regulations Regarding the Prohibition of Posting of Election Campaign Materials on Trees

Did you know that hanging, tacking, or stapling campaign materials such as tarpaulin banners and posters weakens the protective bark and punctures the interior of a tree, enabling harmful organisms to enter and eventually causing stress, restricting growth, or death of the tree? 

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is reminding all candidates in the coming May 2022 elections and every election to be mindful of the environment and spare the trees from their campaign materials and other campaign activities.

However, recently,  there are campaign materials being posted on trees along public roadways and in areas not designated as common poster areas. This is against the Republic Act No. 9006, otherwise known as the Fair Election Act.

Under this act, “the posting of campaign materials in public places outside of the designated common poster areas such as trees, is prohibited. Persons posting the same shall be liable together with the candidates and other persons who caused the posting."

NO POSTING of Campaign Materials on Trees! Section 3 of Republic Act No. 3571 prohibits the cutting, destroying, or injuring of trees along public roads, in parks, schools, and other public areas. A similar prohibition is provided under Presidential Decree No. 953, which penalizes a violator of imprisonment from six months to two years, or a fine of PHP500 to PHP5,000, or both at the discretion of the court. The trees must be protected and campaign materials, advertisements, or even public announcements should not be posted on them. Doing so will impair the vigor and structural integrity of a tree as it invites attack by harmful insects, fungi, and diseases. 

In the observance of a free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible election, the public is being reminded to refrain from posting election ads on trees other than those allowed by law.

𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐂 𝐀𝐂𝐓 𝐍𝐎. 𝟗𝟎𝟎𝟔 "𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐜𝐭"

dated 12 February 2001

Sec. 9. Posting of campaign materials - "xxx may authorize xxx to erect common poster areas in xxx public places such as plazas, markets, barangay centers and the like..."

𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐂 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐎𝐋𝐔𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐍𝐎.𝟏𝟎𝟕𝟑𝟎 "𝐈𝐑𝐑 𝐨𝐟 𝐑𝐀 𝐍𝐎. 𝟗𝟎𝟎𝟔"

dated 17 November 2021

Sec. 21(B) - "In no instance shall an election officer designate as common poster areas, any trees, plants, shrubs located along public roads, in plazas, parks, school premises or in any other public grounds." violators shall be prosecuted pursuant to Republic Act No. 3571.

𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐀𝐋 𝐃𝐄𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐍𝐎. 𝟗𝟓𝟑 dated July 6, 1976

The coverage of 𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐂 𝐀𝐂𝐓 𝐍𝐎. 𝟑𝟓𝟕𝟏  dated June 21, 1963 was emphasized and expanded thru 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐀𝐋 𝐃𝐄𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐍𝐎. 𝟗𝟓𝟑 dated July 6, 1976

Sec. 3. "Any person who cuts, destroys, damages, or injures, naturally growing or planted trees of any kind, xxx, along public roads, in plazas, parks xxx, school premises or in any other public ground or place, xxx, or areas for the common use of the owners in a subdivision, shall be punished..."

Penalty: Six (6) months to 2 years of imprisonment or a fine of Php 500 to Php 5,000..."

REMINDER TO CANDIDATES

“The campaign materials should always have their designated posting areas, but not on the trees. The use of iron nails or gun tacker will only injure or damage the health condition of the trees. It would cut through the trees’ protective bark and pierces the inside of a tree, which causes the entry of harmful organisms. Some studies found that it could even cause cancer on trees,” DENR 6 Regional Executive Director Livino B. Duran said.

Image Source: 

Nonnie Gicana Jeruta  in La Carlota City.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) reminded candidates to strictly observe the rules on posting campaign materials and spare trees from their campaign blitz.

DENR urge employees to do their share in monitoring the illegal posting of campaign materials on trees by taking photographs and video footage to be used as evidence against the erring candidates. This is the only thing the DENR could do pending their request to the Comelec that they be allowed to remove campaign materials posted on trees and other protected areas.

It is in line with section 2 of the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act 9006 that was promulgated by the Comelec on Jan. 6, 2003.

The law prohibits the posting of campaign materials in public areas outside the designated common poster areas. It also bans the posting of campaign materials and posters on trees, bridges, public structures or buildings, electric posts, schools, churches and main streets.

Foresters usually note a sudden increase in tree infections six months after the end of the election period. Wounds in trees are inflicted by nails and staple wires used to attach campaign materials and posters.

PAALALA: Bawal Ipaskil Ang Campaign Ads o Poster Sa Mga Puno

Ngayong nalalapit na ang election campaign period, muling nagbibigay ng paalala ang Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 12 na mahigpit na ipinagbabawal ang paglalagay ng campaign materials sa mga PUNO at ibang pang mga lugar na hindi napapabilang sa “common poster area.”

Nakasaad sa Section 3 ng Republic Act No. 3571 na ipinagbabawal ang pagputol o pagsira ng mga punong malapit sa mga paaralan, parke, public roads at iba pang mga pampublikong lugar.

Isang kahalintulad din na probisyon ang nakasaad sa Presidential Decree No. 953 kung saan ang mga lalabag ay maaaring makulong mula anim na buwan hanggang dalawang taon o pagmumultahin ng P500 hanggang P5,000 o pareho depende sa desisyon ng korte.

See Also: A living organism: 2022 electoral bets asked to stop nailing posters on trees

Ang pagpapako sa punongkahoy ng anumang advertisement paraphernalia, kasama ang election campaign materials, ay ipinagbabawal sang-ayon sa Republic Act No. 3571 at Presidential Decree No. 953. I-report ang mga lumalabag sa pamamagitan ng pagpapadala ng litrato at detalye ng lugar sa email address r4a@denr.gov.ph, Facebook Page @DENR4AOfficial, at Instagram at Twitter accounts @denrcalabarzon.  

____________

Credits:

The Forest Management Bureau of the DENR