THE Ecowaste Coalition on Saturday appealed to the so-called “epal” politicians to refrain from handing out leaflets that will end up dumped on the streets and tombs inside or near cemeteries during the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
The group also asked local politicians, who it described as “epaliticos”, not to hang or nail tarpauline on lampposts and trees in cemeteries and adjacent communities, saying that “epal” acts will leave a bad taste in the mouth.
Epal is a street slang for the Filipino term “ma-papel” or one who craves attention, takes credit for other people’s work, or needlessly meddles in their affairs. The Commission on Elections earlier asked the public to inform the presence of “epal” campaign materials in cemeteries.
Ecowaste urged the public not to litter in cemeteries during the solemn day celebrated annually on Nov. 1.
“Our message is simple, the cemetery is a place of prayers and not a dump. The massive littering year in, year out is a gross disrespect for the dead and Mother Earth. We need to kick this filthy habit and remember our departed loved ones in an earth-friendly and respectful manner,” said Ecowaste campaigner Tin Vergara.
To prevent waste and pollution in cemeteries and their environs, the group urged the people to consider the following suggestions:
• Shun littering, dumping or burning of trash. Do not discard cigarette filters, food wrappers and leftovers, water bottles, etc. on cemetery grounds, and bring them home for recycling, composting and disposal.
• Avoid bringing single-use plastic disposables to the cemetery such as carry bags and food and beverage containers and opt for reusable bags and containers instead.
• Never waste food and water. Bring just enough food and water in reusable containers to prevent waste.
• Offer local fresh flowers, not plastic ones and avoid wrapping them in plastic, which will only end up as trash.
• Choose clean burning candles that do not have lead core wicks, and do not let candle holders or receptacles to burn.
• Refrain from smoking in the cemetery.
The group recently organized a “BasuRUN” (run against garbage) with 100 participants led by running priest Fr. Robert Reyes at the Manila North Cemetery to remind the public that cemeteries are places of prayer, not dumps.
“My heart breaks when I see people throw away trash on the ground without any feeling of guilt or shame. Even sanctified places like the cemeteries are not spared. It’s high time that we acknowledge that we sin against Mother Earth and other creatures who inhabit this planet every time we litter and desecrate our shared home,” said Reyes.