MMDA to dismantle 424 'illegal' billboards along EDSA

The Metro Manila Development AUthority (MMDA) on Monday announced that it will be dismantling 424 billboards along Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) which are in violation of the National Building Code (NBC). "These 424 (billboards) can now be dismantled because they (building owners) cannot show the necessary permits from the LGUs," MMDA chair Francis Tolentino said during the day's Senate finance committee hearing on the proposed budget of the MMDA. Tolentino explained that some of the 424 billboards don't have the necessary building permit, certificate of use, locational clearance, or simply did not follow the NBC. He added that billboards are only supposed to be 20 square feet at most and 100 meters apart. The MMDA has repeatedly reminded advertisers to dismantle their billboards in major thoroughfares to avoid accidents, especially during typhoons. For his part, Outdoor Advertising Association of the Philippines president Joe Valle has assured officials in the past that anytime PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration) hoists a storm alert over any region, including Metro Manila, they will automatically bring their outdoor ads down. Dismantling to start next week In an interview with reporters after the hearing, Tolentino said they hope to begin the dismantling process next week. Tolentino made the commitment after Sen. Franklin Drilon, chair of the Senate finace committee, asked why the MMDA was not removing any of the billboards in Metro Manila when the temporary restraining order issued against its anti-billboard campaign has already expired. "The TRO has expired, you do not run the risk of any contempt because there is no more effective TRO," Drilon said. But the MMDA chair was initially hesitant because their agency does not have funding for the project. "For MMDA to just dismantle one billboard, it would take us two weeks and the cost is not part of our budget," he said. Drilon, however, told him to proceed with the assurance that Congress will provide them with enough budget. "Gawin ninyo at magusap tayo sa funding ninyo... these are for the public good," he said. Tolentino, meanwhile, also appealed to building and billboard owners to dismantle the illegal billboards on their own. "Kailangan yung illegal magsimula ulit sila. Ibig sabihin mag-comply sila dun sa standards," he said after the hearing. Tolentino said that there are around 2,000 billboards from Heritage to Balintawak. He also said they will be seeking amendments on the NBC to state that historical sites not be cluttered with billboards. — Kimberly Jane Tan/RSJ, GMA News