The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Puerto Princesa Third Engineering District is up for another round of road sweep as it will kick off its “Operation Baklas” in line with 2019 National and Local Election on Monday.
Engineer Arthur A. Torillo, information officer the 3rd Engineering District, said on Thursday during the Kapihan hosted by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) that the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) already sent them an invitation.
“Kahapon ng umaga pumunta sa amin yung Comelec at nagbigay ng imbetasyon ng Operation Baklas ng ala-una kaagad ng hapon sana kahapon ang problema namin before 7:30 ang mga tao namin pati mga equipment namin nai-deploy na namin sa field so humingi kami sa kanila ng pasensya, nakausap namin si atty. Bermejo sabi ko mas maganda kung Monday tayo magsimula,”said Engr. Torillo.
He also said that they conducted an inspection and found that there are many illegally posted campaign materials. “Actually nung nag-inspection kami last Monday or Tuesday, marami na kaming nakitang naglalagay eh particular yung Kalinga Partylist pero hindi pa kami nagkaroon ng Operation Baklas dahil nung time na yun nag inspection pa lang kami. Ang unang-una kong napansin doon sa Bahile papunta silang bayan, sa Poblacion naglalagay sila doon, yun lang ang nakita ko yung Kalinga partylist,” he said.
“Lahat ng campaign posters na dinikit sa property ng DPWH pati mga advertisement kasama po sa tatanggalin namin. Yung doon sa national road kapag nakita namin sa puno, sa tulay automatic tatanggalin namin yun so iba pa din yun sa operation baklas na kung anong schedule ang napag usapan pero kung along the national road, nagbigay na kami ng instruction sa tao namin na kapag may nakita tanggalin wag lang sirain baka hanapin, tanggalin lang, itabi baka hanapin ibalik din namin para mailagay sa tamang lugar,” he added.
Under Section 26, Resolution No. 10049 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 9006 or Fair Election Act, Palawan National Police (PNP) and Department of Public Works and Highways are the implementing agencies that task in the removal of illegally posted campaign materials.
A common poster area, according to the Comelec, is a public (authorized by the commission) or private (with the consent of the owner) place where candidates can post their campaign materials with a size of not more than two feet by three feet (2’x3’).
Designated as common poster areas in Puerto Princesa include all the Barangay Centers, Baywalk, New Public Market and in Mendoza Park.