ALTHOUGH the removal of campaign materials is actually the responsibility of the candidates themselves, the city of Manila is now doing it for them and has collected 12 truckloads so far.
Manila City Engineer Moises Alcantara said that on orders of Mayor Honey Lacuna, his office is now undertaking the responsibility of removing all campaign posters and the like, with the help of the department of public services (DPS) personnel.
Alcantara also reported to Lacuna that by next week, the entire city is expected to be cleared of all kinds of campaign materials.
He cited the large volume of such propaganda materials that littered the city and with no candidates undertaking the voluntary removal of such.
It was learned that the office of Alcantara and the DPS had been carrying out the cleanup of all campaign-related trash as May 11 pursuant to a Comelec directive and prior to its amendment which extended the period allowing propaganda materials to remain posted.
Alcantara said City Hall teams have been removing campaign posters and tarpaulins posted on trees, electric posts and even cable and electric wires.
He also said that on orders of Lacuna, an immediate cleanup of the areas leading to the polling precincts which were also littered with campaign materials and sample ballots following the election was also carried out by the said City Hall personnel.
