Comelec eyes recyclable campaign materials

MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Elections is looking at the possibility of requiring all candidates to use only recyclable and environment-friendly campaign materials, according to Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista.

Environment advocates have long been pushing for a change in campaign rules because campaign materials consume a huge amount of natural resources and generate much garbage.

The Comelec earlier commended the city council of General Santos City for passing a resolution mandating the use of recyclable and environment-friendly campaign materials in the elections.

In the 2013 elections, the Comelec also encouraged candidates to consider the use of environment friendly campaign materials.

The Comelec then approved a resolution urging political parties and candidates to use recyclable and environment-friendly materials and avoid those that contain hazardous chemicals and substances in the production of their campaign and election propaganda.

The campaign period for candidates for president, vice president, senators, and party-list groups is set to run from Feb. 9 to May 7, 2016.

Local candidates – including district representatives and those running for regional, provincial, city, and municipal posts – will campaign from March 25 to May 7, 2016.