Sunday, February 10, 2008 Billboard owners deny black propaganda By Ben O. Tesiorna
MEMBERS of the Davao Outdoor Advertising Association (DOAA) vehemently denied staging a black propaganda campaign against Davao City Vice Mayor Sara Duterte for her policy against issuing new permits for billboard structures in the city.
In an interview on Saturday, DOAA president Chris Arieta said they are supporting the policy of the young Duterte, thus there is no reason for them to do a black propaganda against her.
Arieta said they however suspect another member of their organization as the one doing the black propaganda but refused to name the member.
Reports reaching Sun.Star Davao showed that the suspected member is one of the biggest billboard companies who operate not just in Davao City but in other key cities of the country as well.
In a text message that circulated two weeks ago, the Dutertes are being accused of trying to monopolize the billboard business in the city by hitting on the other billboard companies in favor of Genesis88.
The text message claimed that Genesis88 is partly owned by Councilor Paolo Duterte, brother of the vice mayor.
The Dutertes, however, denied that Paolo owns Genesis88. City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte even ordered all billboards, including those of Genesis88, to be dismantled if proven to be illegal.
Genesis88 owner Glenn Escandor however said their billboards, specifically those located at the street islands, are not illegal and that they were given permit by the City Government.
Escandor said the only huge billboard he owns is the one near SM Mall in Ecoland this city. He also denied Duterte is his partner in Genesis88.
The controversy over the billboards started when the vice mayor declared she will not issue new permits for billboards after she received complaints on billboards located in residential areas as these pose danger to the residents.
Duterte even dared homeowners not to accept payment from billboard companies as rent to the space where the structures are located.
The vice mayor told the residents to destroy the structures themselves and sell the steel to the junkshops.
Mayor Duterte, however, expressed hesitation on his daughter's policy saying that billboard companies contribute to the city coffers nonetheless and that he might reconsider their application for permits.
DOAA said they already wrote a letter to the vice mayor asking for an audience with her on the issue. (BOT)
