House panel OKs ban on displaying billboards during typhoons

The House Committee on Disaster Resilience has approved a measure seeking to prohibit the display of billboards during severe weather disturbance.

The measure will be known as the Bawal Billboard Tuwing Bagyo Act, authored by Deputy Speaker Bro. Eddie Villanueva of CIBAC party-list.

Villanueva said the bill aims to prevent billboard from becoming a safety hazard by requiring billboard operators to take down their tarpaulin billboards or switch off electronic-based billboards within 12 hours from an official announcement or release of a tropical cyclone wind signal bulletin by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

In 2005, a tarpaulin billboard in Cubao, Quezon City area snagged onto an MRT power cable and caused an eight-hour service interruption.

A billboard at the corner of Boni Avenue and EDSA destroyed electrical wires and caused power outage in the area in 2006.

Due to heavy rains, a billboard along EDSA toppled and injuring four people and damaged three vehicles.

In 2019, a billboard in Divisoria collapsed due to strong winds and injured two people.

The measure proposes a fine of not less than P300,000 and/or imprisonment of six months to one year to any violator of the measure.

The Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and other concerned agencies were tasked to craft the Implementing Rules and Regulation of the proposal.

Based on studies, a single billboard along EDSA can earn as more than P500,000 per month and can reach 4.5 million potential customers a day.

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)