“The public have made their choice, and the winners in the recently held Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan polls were already proclaimed, it is now time to do our post-election responsibility to clean our respective communities,” says DILG OIC-Secretary Eduardo M. Año.
Año made the call after getting hold of reports that the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) hauled three truckloads of garbage composed of posters, tarpaulins, and plastics after the elections in several areas of Metro Manila alone.
The DILG chief also noticed that many schools that served as polling precincts are still filled with election paraphernalia. “We must clean up the schools and adjoining areas to prepare for the opening of classes in June 4,” he says.
Since last week, the MMDA and the city and municipal solid waste collection services have been busy collecting the piles of garbage left in polling precincts, barangays and school premises during the recent May 14 barangay and SK polls.
The DILG Chief says cleanup operations must be spearheaded by the recent poll candidates whether they won or not in the elections because it is part of their civic responsibility and to show the people that they were sincere in becoming leaders of their respective communities.
“Nanalo man kayo o natalo sa nakaraang eleksyon, obligasyon ninyo na ibalik ang kalinisan at kaayusan ng inyong lugar,” he says.
Año says winners, candidates and residents alike should work together and act fast in cleaning up election trash because these might clog canals and waterways which may later cause flooding.
“Magtulong-tulong na po tayo para tanggalin ang mga campaign materials at linisin ang kalat noong nakaraang eleksyon. Inaasahan ko na sa pagtatapos ng linggong ito, tapos na tayo sa clean up drive,” he says.