DENR Caraga conducts “Operation Baklas”

As early as January 17, 2022, the region issued an instruction enjoining all the field offices to strictly implement COMELEC Resolution No. 10730 specifically, on the observance of posting of campaign materials only in designated poster areas and not on trees and plants.

This is in consonance with the instruction of Undersecretary for Filed Operations-Mindanao Joselin Marcus E. Fragada, reiterating previous memorandum from Acting Secretary Jim O. Sampulna on the promotion of an environmentally-conscious national elections campaign pursuant to Joint DENR-DILG-COMELEC Memorandum Circular No. 2013-01 re: Basura-Free Elections 2013 “Kalat Ko, Sisinupin Ko”.

The clearing operations in the region actually started a day after the campaign period commenced on February 8 and is sustained until this time.

The activity was carried out in close coordination with the LGUs, the PNP, DPWH and COMELEC, under the province-wide campaign, Operation Baklas, pursuant to COMELEC Resolution 10730. The other field offices in the region (5 PENROs and 10 CENROs) also conducted the same clearing operations where they focused on the clearing of campaign posters/materials posted on trees and other non-designated poster areas.

Based on a consolidated report, it was disclosed that to date, the region-wide campaign has gathered an initial count of 4,763  pieces of assorted framed and unframed tarpaulin of various dimension, paper-based and other propaganda materials that were removed and collected from trees and other structures along non-designated poster areas.

Under the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines, it is illegal for anyone, to injure or cause damage to trees and other vegetation, especially along plazas and other public places. This may lead to infection by parasitic fungi which eventually could lead to the death of the tree.

Moreover, Presidential Decree 953 also prohibits "cutting, destroying, damaging, or injuring naturally grown or planted trees of any kind, flowering or ornamental plants and shrubs, or plants of scenic, aesthetic and ecological value, along public roads, in plazas, parks other than national parks, or in any other public ground or place.”

DENR Caraga continue the operation until the election and we'll strengthen our IEC campaign not only to ensure compliance of the law but to generate awareness among the people on the importance of trees, most especially in these times of climate change.

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