The Department of Public Works and Highways Southern Leyte District Engineering Office (DPWH-SLDEO) has started the removal of campaign materials placed on roadsides as part of their year-round road safety drive.
The post-election cleanup along the 299-kilometer stretch of national highway in the province has started on Thursday and will be done on Tuesday next week.
District Engineer Ma. Margarita C. Junia said maintenance personnel have been deployed to remove posters and tarpaulins that were left on roadsides by the candidates and their supporters.
“We always want our national roads to be free from any materials that can pose danger to motorists. Sometimes the traffic directional signs cannot be read legibly by the motorists due to some obstructions,” Junia said.
Unlike in the campaign period, tearing down of propaganda materials can be done without the presence of personnel from the Commission on Elections and Philippine National Police, according to Engr. Gideon Sacro, chief of SLDEO maintenance section.
On mid-April, the SLDEO deployed 93 field men to assist other government agencies in the removal and tearing of all unlawful election propaganda. Same number of personnel is tasked to clear the highway for the post-election clearing.
The SLDEO mobilized a five-man team in Maasin City and each of the 18 towns, except in Limasawa Island where only three field men are assigned to accomplish the task.