By Mariela Angella Oladive
The Iloilo provincial government launched the 10-day “Limpyo Eleksyon 2025: Operation Baklas” on May 13, one day after the May 12 midterm polls.
Led by the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, the initiative aims to clear post-election campaign waste across the province.
The clean-up runs until May 23 and follows Executive Order No. 265, Series of 2022, which institutionalizes Limpyo Eleksyon as a sustainable, circular economy-based waste management approach.
The campaign calls on candidates, political parties, party-list groups, and local governments at the municipal and barangay levels to remove and responsibly dispose of campaign materials such as tarpaulins, posters, and streamers.
It highlights the importance of sustainability and environmental responsibility in the electoral process.
Post-election waste has long been a problem for local governments, often ending up as unsegregated trash or blocking waterways.
“The upcycling and transformation of campaign wastes aim to divert waste from landfills, minimize environmental pollution, and create local economic opportunities, advancing circular economy and zero-waste principles,” PENRO said in a statement.
Participants are advised to follow health and safety protocols, including the use of gloves, masks, closed shoes, hats, and proper clearing tools.
The project is part of the Plastics Circularity Project, implemented with the United Nations Development Programme Philippines and supported by The Coca-Cola Foundation.