City of Davao sets May 13–15 as official retrieval dates for campaign materials
Davao City — In a bold move to promote environmental responsibility after the 2025 national and local elections, Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte issued Executive Order No. 06, Series of 2025, mandating all local candidates to mobilize clean-up teams to retrieve, re-use, and recycle election paraphernalia across the city.
The order, signed on May 9, 2025, sets a three-day clean-up operation on May 13, 14, and 15, immediately after election day on May 12. It compels candidates to take accountability for the campaign materials they and their supporters have posted throughout the city during the campaign season.
“The City Government urges local and national candidates to be responsible in ensuring that their campaign materials must be disposed and properly managed after election day,” the order states, emphasizing that election paraphernalia will no longer serve a purpose and must not become environmental hazards.
Under the executive order:
- All local candidates are required to form clean-up teams within their districts.
- These teams must retrieve all campaign posters, tarpaulins, banners, and flyers, and ensure these materials are either reused or sent to recycling centers.
- Throwing campaign waste into garbage bins or collection points is strictly prohibited.
The directive is in line with the city’s solid waste management efforts and aims to minimize the environmental impact of political activities. Mayor Duterte’s office highlighted that the proper disposal and recycling of campaign materials are necessary to prevent additional waste from polluting communities and public spaces.
The order also includes standard legal provisions: a separability clause ensuring the rest of the order remains in effect even if parts are declared invalid, and a repealing clause nullifying any conflicting issuances. The order takes effect immediately.
Davao City has long been recognized for its strict policies on cleanliness, public discipline, and environmental protection. This move reinforces the city’s commitment to sustainability and civic accountability.
Will your area be ready for the post-election cleanup?