THE DEPARTMENT of Education in Davao region asked election candidates and civic groups to help clean up schools that were used as voting precincts.

Jeneilito S. Atillo, spokesperson of DepEd-11, said that requests were sent to local candidates to help in the clean-up but no response has been received.

“We started (the clean-up) today and we have to ready the school before May 14,” Atillo said.

The DepEd office in Region 11 released a memorandum on May 8 detailing the clean-up after the elections.

“DepEd schools have always been designated as venues during local and national elections. As observed in the previous elections, sample ballots, posters, election paraphernalia, plastics and wastes from voters, candidates’ watchers, and monitor/volunteers were found scattered inside and outside the school premises,” the memorandum stated.

The DepEd suspended classes in public schools from May 2 to 13 to give way to election-related activities.