CABANATUAN CITY –The Nueva Ecija Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has asked political candidates and their campaigners to post their campaign materials in designated common posting areas and refrain from posting on trees.
Nueva Ecija PWNRO chief Joselito Blanco warned that nailing anything on trees violates Section 3 of Presidential Decree 953, violation which “is punishable by imprisonment of not less than six months and not more than two years or fine of not less than P500 or not more than P5,000 or both.”
Blanco said they have been receiving reports that political posters or tarpaulins, including those of some business firms, are being nailed on trees. “Even outside the election period, the DENR is empowered by law to take down materials attached to trees in a way that damages the plants,” he explained.
“We call and appeal to candidates and their supporters to refrain from nailing political campaign materials on trees),” Blanco said, noting that politicians themselves may not be aware of their supporters’ wrongdoings.
He explained that the wounded part of the tree could serve as an entry point for fungi or viruses which may eventually kill the plant.