NO ADS ON TREES. Bernard Juson of the Davao City Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro) reminds politicians and their supporters not to post their streamers, posters and other political ads on trees. (Ace R. Morandante/davaotoday.com)
DAVAO CITY – Election time or not, posting on trees is prohibited, the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) reminded politicians and supporters.
Bernardo Juson, Cenro official here said nailing or hanging any advertisement on a tree is harmful to the trees.
Section 3 of Presidential Decree No. 953 penalizes any person who cuts, destroys, damages or injures, naturally growing or planted trees of any kind.
Violators are punished with imprisonment for not less than six months and not more than two years, or a fine of not less than P500 and not more than P5,000.
Republic Act 3571 also prohibits cutting, destroying or injuring of planted or growing trees, flowering plants and shrubs or plants of scenic value along public roads, in plazas parks, school premises or in any other public ground.
Juson said their office will be implementing the removal of ads put up by candidates.
He also said that they will request for police security during their operation citing previous instances when supporters of a politician wrongly identified them as members of the opposing candidates.
“Minsan kung magkuha kami ng mga posters nangyayari kasi akala nung candidate na tao kami nung opposing candidate. So ang request lang namin is bigyan kami ng police security sa operation na ito na malapit na ang election (Sometimes when during our operations, the candidates think that we are from the camp of an opposing candidate. So we request police security during our operation),” he said.
Juson said that they have yet to submit a request to the Philippine National Police this week or next week. (With a report from Kristine Ina Magdosa, Davao Today Intern)
