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Thursday, March 22, 2007
Agency to tear down illegal billboards in expressways
By Albert B. Lacanlale
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Public works officials said they would dismantle illegal billboards along the North Luzon Expressway (Nlex) in compliance with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's orders.
DPWH Assistant Secretary Rafael Yabut said they were enforcing the department's "Operation Baklas Billboard" along Nlex and South Luzon Expressway (Slex), also in accordance with a memorandum issued by Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan.
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Illegal and unsafe billboards in Nlex and Slex would be immediately dismantled to assure public safety especially with the approach of the La Niña season, added Yabut.
"All billboards that are structurally unsafe, violate the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRRs) of the National Building Code, and lack necessary permits will be immediately dismantled. Our top priority is the safety of the general public," he said.
He added that it was observed that most of the billboards at Nlex and Slex were oversized and constructed near power lines -- posing danger to the commuters and motorists.
Yabut also instructed the DPWH regional directors and district engineers to coordinate with the local building officials within the area in assessing billboard placements and permits.
Billboard owners, said DPWH Director Emmanuel Cuntapay, should secure clearance from the department if the billboard is located along national and secondary roads, and building and installation of sign and signboard permits from local government units (LGUs).
"We are not against billboard advertising, we are just assuring that billboard structures comply with existing rules and regulations under the National Building Code," Cuntapay said.
Alan Jeffrey Ang of the Manila North Tollways Corporation (MNTC), which manages and maintains Nlex, said there are 112 billboards erected along the modernized toll road.
Of the 17,845 inspected billboards nationwide, 11,162 that were found unsafe and illegal, including those in Metro Manila, were already dismantled. (Sun.Star Pampanga/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Iloilo. (March 22, 2007 issue)
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