The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Pangasinan 4th District was invited thru a Pangasinan Provincial Resolution #127-2019 by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, together with the Commission on Elections, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Education, Philippine National Police, Local Government Units and other concerned agencies to participate in the “Nationwide Operation Baklas” on February 26, 2019 to fully implement the legal acumen of Republic Act 9006 otherwise known as the “Fair Elections Act”.
The aforementioned Provincial Resolution urge the said agencies to address the concerns of the people of Pangasinan on the Environmental and Safety Hazards caused by the irresponsible advertising tarpaulins privately or politically placed on trees, roads, bridges, light posts, schools and the like.
The Operation Baklas, a province-wide activity in connection with the May 13, 2019 National and Local election is intended to remove and tear down all unlawful campaign paraphernalia of candidates for national and local positions. Generally, this also served as one of the pre-emptive measures to address imminent danger that could possibly happen on the massive hanging of tarpaulins on unauthorized places specially this period where election was fast approaching.
Pangasinan Fourth District Engineering Office headed by District Engineer Simplicio D. Gonzales supported this endeavor and make sure that the District’s efforts will significantly contribute to the success of the scheduled event. Chief of Maintenance Section Adonis Z. Ignacio in supervision of the District Engineer deploy in full force the road side maintenance workers and their Foremen to remove the said paraphernalia, equipped with three (3) dump trucks and other available equipment and facilities for efficient implementation of “Operation Baklas”.
The DPWH Fourth District Engineering Office prior to this event also participated on the April 10, 2019 “Local Operation Baklas” on the request of Calasiao and Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan in the simultaneous removal of illegally posted campaign material.