MALOLOS
CITY—Candidates in the May polls can now be more environmental friendly during
the campaign, not just in words but in deeds.
This
came as a Liberal Party (LP) candidate here launched an eco-friendly materials
that can be used for campaign posters.
The
materials includes the eco-cloth, recycled cardboard paper, and biodegradable
plastic that can all replaced the environmentally threatening tarpaulin
posters.
Christian
Natividad, the incumbent mayor of this historic city and LP mayor candidate
showed said materials to selected journalists here.
“We
would like to set a trend among candidates to use eco-friendly campaign materials
this elections to prove our claims that we really intend to protect the
environment,” he said noting that many candidates always claim the same but
comes short of their actions.
He
said that during election campaign, candidates in national and local post are
the major violators of environmental laws.
“We
are the first violators and after the elections, we produce tons of garbage,”
Natividad stressed.
He
explained that in using eco-friendly materials, the country’s environment will
be another step safer.
The
mayor said that he started thinking of using campaign materials after they
launched the first Malolos Green Covenant during the 114th anniversary of the
Malolos Congress here last September 15.
The
said covenant is aimed that encouraging local government units (LGUs) in the
country to pursue steps in mitigating impacts of climate change through green
initiatives.
“We
thought that we will be violating the Covenant that we launched if we will still
use tarpaulins, so I asked my friend to looks for other materials that can be
used,” he said referring to Dondon Hornedo of the ED Enterprises based in this
city.
The
Green Covenant has been submitted to the United Nations and to the Philippine
Congress where it was used by Rep. Dan Fernandez of Laguna as basis in urging
President Aquino to push for the first Climate Change awards.
“It
was submitted to the United Nations and we would like to start the campaign
here for eco-friendly election to revolutionize the election campaign,” he
said.
For
his part, Hornedo said that eco-cloth which is usually used on eco-shopping
bags is cheaper by at least four times compared to tarpaulins.
“Tarpaulins
costs at least P13 per square foot while eco-cloth only costs P22 per square
yard which is about four to six square feet,” he said.
Hornedo
said that eco-cloth are available and can be bought in bulk at Divisoria.
He
also said that candidates can also use recycled cardboard and biodegradable
plastic.
The
recycled cardboard are common while the biodegradable plastics degrades into
pieces in three months.
Aside
from the said materials, Hornedo said that they are using the international
sanctioned lead-free paint.
As
a heavy metal, lead can affect mental capabilities of persons exposed to it.
According
to Hornedo, he learned about lead free paint when he was in the export business
which requires lead free paint.
“Its
safer to use lead-free paint especially if the campaign materials will be
recycled into bags later,” he said.
Hornedo
said that it is easy to detect paint containing lead on campaign posters.
“If
the picture on the poster is glossy, its
not lead-free paint,” he said.
Hornedo
also said that utilization of eco-friendly campaign materials will generate
more jobs, especially among silk screen painters who lost their jobs due to the
emergence of tarpaulin printing machines.
At
present, Hornedo’s ED Enterprises have seven workers and he plan to increase it
as more orders come. Dino
Balabo
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