Cagayan de Oro councilors to revisit rules on billboards

THE Cagayan de Oro City Council wants to revisit city ordinances on putting up of signage and billboards along a number of overpasses near schools and commercial malls.

In his special report, City Councilor Eric Salcedo pointed out that some businesses "indiscriminately" place signage in overpasses and not thinking about the risks it may pose.

Salcedo said the signage can cover the open space along the overpass making it a hiding place for criminals.

He also noted that some overpass does not have sufficient lighting.

“Ang mga overpass gihimo alang sa mga tao ilabina kadtong mga bata nga muadto sa ilang skwelahan, isa sa pamaagi sa pang-gobyerno na mugamay ang aksidente sa kalsada. Ang uban sa overpass pud, walay maintenance, walay suga, pwede tago-anan sa mga tao nga naay bad intentions, (The overpass are made for people especially for our children who need to cross the road to reach their schools. Other overpass have no maintenance, there are no lights, thus they can be hiding places for people who have bad intentions),” Salcedo said.

Salcedo questioned whether these businesses still follow rules and standards in putting up advertisements, under the law.

City Ordinance 6370-1998 otherwise the Billboard Ordinance of 1998 states that the design and conditions in placing public signs should prioritize public safety, but Salcedo said the ordinance is not followed.

“As public servant, it is our duty to take extra care of our people, consider always the security of the public. We must address this issue,” he said.

City Councilor Romeo Calizo said, however, he does not see any problem or loopholes in the passed ordinances, citing these are “all fine and fitting.”

Calizo instead noted that the enforcement of the laws is the problem.

“We tried to review our passed ordinances, murag sakto man ang atong laws (and it seemed like they are alright), but there seems to be complacency in the enforcement of the law, ang atong executive (our executive), it appears that murag mag shy away bitaw sila in enforcing these laws (they always shy away in enforcing these laws),” Calizo said.

Calizo said that the implementation of the ordinance should be strictly done and there has to be a review on the penalties for those who commit violation.

The issue is referred to the committee on ways and means, chaired by Councilor George Goking.

Goking said he will call on the concerned departments for a committee hearing and “remind them of their duty to enforce the laws we passed.”