QC council OKs ban on plastic election materials

MANILA, Philippines - The Quezon City council on Monday approved on the third and final reading an ordinance that will prohibit the use of plastic propaganda and advertisement materials in the city.

Once enacted by Mayor Herbert Bautista, the ordinance – principally authored by Councilor Dorothy Delarmente – will penalize anyone who will use plastic campaign or advertisement materials in the city.

Those who will be caught printing, transporting, or possessing plastic propaganda or advertisement materials will be penalized with either a fine of P5,000 or a maximum of one year imprisonment at the discretion of the court.

Both penalties may be imposed on those who will be apprehended on third offense.

Earlier, Delarmente clarified that the proposal will only prohibit the use of thin plastics and will not ban the use of PVC-type tarpaulins. She noted that unlike tarpaulins that can be reused, the thinner plastic advertisements usually end up in creeks and drainage systems weeks after being posted in streets.

“This ordinance is for the welfare of the environment and our constituents,” she said.

The measure will be implemented by the city’s environment protection and waste management department, parks development and administration department, the Quezon City Police District, and other concerned agencies.

The ordinance was co-authored by Councilors Francisco Calalay, Joseph Juico, Ricardo Belmonte, Eden Medina, Roderick Paulate, Aly Medalla, Raquel Malañgen, and Gian Carlo Sotto.