CEBU CITY — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Central Visayas (DENR-7) started its “Operation Baklas” in the different parts of the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, and Tagbilaran on Thursday.
DENR-7 Enforcement Division chief Ariel Rica said “Operation Baklas” or the removal of campaign materials and commercial advertisements tacked or nailed on trees, is being conducted in cooperation with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH-7), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG-7), the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Rica said the team in Cebu was divided into three groups — one each for Cebu City’s North and South Districts and Mandaue City.
Spearheaded by CENRO-Cebu, the operation in Cebu City was carried out so far in Barangays Quiot, Basak-Pardo, Labangon, and Guadalupe in the south and in Barangays Lahug and Camputhaw in the north.
Aside from removing campaign and commercial ads on trees, DENR-7 also conducted short briefings on Presidential Decree No. 953 during the operation.
Presidential Decree 953 prohibits the cutting, destroying, or injuring of trees along public roads, in parks, schools, and any other public areas.
Last week, the DENR-7 warned candidates in the May 14 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections and their supporters not to tack or nail campaign materials on trees.
Regional Director Gilbert Gonzales advised candidates who violated the law to remove their campaign materials on trees otherwise they will be served with warnings or pay fines or possible imprisonment. (PNA)
