Philned sought Visayas-wide ‘poster-free’ tourism zones

By MICHAEL S. RESTERIO
BORACAY Island- The Philippine Network for Eco-Tourism Development (PhilNed), a non-government organization based here and in Metro Manila, have sought the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the provincial government of the tourism areas and the youth federations network to campaign for a 'poster-free' tourism zones here in Visayas.
Dadjmar Amores of PhilNed said they have already informed the DENR of their concern on the latter's presentation and updates for environment projects and activities recently held in this resort island.
The campaign is already being supported by the United East Visayan Community in Eastern Visayas headed by Ronel Alicer, along with several youth organizations.
The campaign is specifically to seek for banning of commercial and political posters using tarpaulins and panaflex signage.
Amores cited an example of several cellular phone networks having a network war on publicity by displaying a number of posters, resulting to abuse of environment and an eye sore for both foreign and local tourists here in the island.
"We understand the business side of these promotional ventures. But most of these Manila-based companies claimed that they are environment-friendly in their campaigns but the results proved otherwise," Amores said.
Because of this, the Philned recommends that tourism areas should provide common strategic areas for publicity materials and suggests the use of recyclable objects such as plywoods instead of tarpaulins.
"We will even like to ask the companies to hire local artists for their publicity materials as it will not only encourage creativity but also provide livelihood among the locals," Amores said.