BACOLOD City – The local government units (LGUs) of Bacolod City and Victorias City in Negros Occidental have called on candidates who ran in the May 12, 2025, national and local elections to remove their campaign materials from both public and private spaces.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) earlier reminded all candidates to remove their posters, tarpaulins, and other election paraphernalia — including online campaign content — within five days after the polls. Failure to comply may constitute an election offense under the Fair Election Act.
In this city, Ma. Fe Trespuentes, head of the Bacolod Environment and Natural Resources Office (BENRO), urged candidates to begin removing their materials and coordinate with barangay officials to collect recyclable items such as tarpaulins. She encouraged candidates to donate these to BENRO for recycling instead of sending them to the landfill.
“This is about turning old campaign tarps and materials into something new,” Trespuentes said, emphasizing the environmental benefits of repurposing waste.
In Victorias City, incumbent mayor and congressman-elect Javier Miguel Benitez issued an advisory on May 13 to all local candidates, urging them to take down their campaign materials immediately.
“This is part of our shared responsibility to maintain the cleanliness, orderliness, and aesthetic integrity of our city,” Benitez stated.
He instructed candidates to ensure complete removal within five days of receiving the advisory. The directive covers all campaign materials, whether installed personally or by supporters, especially those placed on trees, electric posts, public buildings, and other unauthorized locations./PN
