De Guzman to use eco-friendly campaign materials, urges other bets to do the same

Presidential candidate Leody De Guzman on Tuesday said he will start using biodegradable materials for his campaign paraphernalia as part of his advocacy to protect the environment.

In a statement, De Guzman urged his fellow Eleksyon 2022 bets to take on the “green challenge” by avoiding the use of non-biodegradable campaign materials and lessening the carbon footprint of their campaign activities.

He also urged them to include environmental concerns in their platforms of governance.

“Sa tindi ng problema ng bansa sa polusyon at krisis sa klima, hindi sapat ang paglalagay lamang ng mga isyu't kahilingan sa plataporma. Ang kailangan ay kagyat na aksyon. Dapat konsistent ang ating ginagawa sa ating sinasabi,” he said.

(Given the severity of the country's pollution problem and climate crisis, it is not enough to simply include issues and appeals in the campaign platform. The situation necessitates immediate action. Our words must be backed up by our deeds.)

De Guzman said the use of biodegradable materials is part of his proposed electoral reforms. 

"Talikuran ang makalat, marumi, at magastos na kampanyang pumapabor sa mga bilyonaryong tumutustos sa election expenses ng mga kandidato para proteksyunan ang kanilang mga negosyo," he said.

(Turn your back on the messy, dirty, and expensive campaign that benefits billionaires who fund candidates' election expenses to protect their businesses.)

The labor leader has previously said that if he is elected president on May 9, he will work to prevent corrupt government officials from running for public office.

De Guzman’s environmental agenda includes the phasing out of coal-fired and incinerator power plants, a just transition to a green economy, a ban against destructive extractive industries such as mining and logging, and reparations from the Global North for their climate debts to vulnerable countries, among others.  — VBL, GMA News