TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan (PIA) - -The regional executive director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) here has ordered all the provincial and community environment and natural resources officers to enjoin the candidates to refrain from nailing campaign materials on trees and encourage them to use environment-friendly campaign paraphernalia.

Regional Executive Director Gwendolyn Bambalan during the conduct of their first management meeting earlier this year, said that Republic Act No. 3571 prohibits the cutting, destroying, or injuring of trees along public roads, plazas, parks, schools, or in any other public area.

Bambalan added that in cases where parties and candidates still persist in displaying, posting, or exhibiting their campaign or election propaganda on trees and plants, they shall be prosecuted for violation of these Rules, without prejudice to the institution of a criminal complaint for the violation of RA 3571 as satted under COMELEC Resolution No. 10730 Sec. 21.

She also encouraged DENR employees to exercise their right to suffrage but not to allow themselves to participate in partisan politics or any campaign activity.

The director expressed high hopes for the department and with one direction, she is optimistic that Region 2 will again be recognized as top performing DENR region in the country. (MDCT/GVB, with reports from DENR Cagayan Valley FB page/PIA Cagayan)