SAN JOSE, Antique – With the election campaign for the May 10 elections in full swing, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) renewed its call on all candidates to strictly abide with Republic Act 3571 or the act prohibiting the cutting, destroying or injuring of plants or growing trees, flowering plants and shrubs of plants of scenic value along public roads in plazas, parks, school premises or in any other public grounds.

“The campaign towards the protection of our trees and ornamental plants aims to spare or free trees from irresponsible hanging of streamers and posters,” said DENR Secretary Eleazar P. Quinto.

He also reminded candidates to be true to their platform of environmental renewal.

Quinto also encouraged DENR personnel to work closely with the Commission on Elections and law enforcement agencies in asking the candidates to put into practice their advocacies by not hurting the trees and other ornamental plants as they pursue their campaign activities to win the nod of the electorate.

Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Vicente Sardina also appealed to candidates to spare the trees from nails and tied posters and streamers this campaign period as their way of supporting the campaign to preserve the environment and cushion the effects of global warming and climate change.

DENR counts on the support of candidates, all agencies, local government units and communities in their desire to pursue good environmental governance for sustainable environment.

“Spare the plants and halt Global Warming” is DENR’s battle cry to save the environment. (PIA)