FOR SAFETY. An advertising material is taken down along Quezon Avenue in Quezon City on a rainy Oct. 3, 2022. The House of Representatives passed the House Bill 7174, or the proposed Bawal Billboard Tuwing Bagyo Act, which aims to mitigate the risk of billboard-related accidents during typhoons. (PNA file photo by Joey O. Razon)
MANILA – A senator on Wednesday reminded billboard operators about the deadline for the full implementation of the Executive Order (EO) 165 which gives them until March to fully comply.
Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. made the reminder as he filed Senate Resolution No. 924 which seeks an inquiry into the proliferation of large-scale billboards in thoroughfares that may pose dangers to the public, especially road users.
“Malapit na ang deadline na itinakda ng EO. Kailangan nang suriin kung sumunod na ba sa mga batayan at standards ang mga billboard owners and operators. At nararapat lamang na panagutin ‘yung mga hanggang ngayon ay nagmamatigas pa rin (The deadline set in the EO is near. Billboards need to be checked if owners and operators have complied with the regulations and standards. Those who are non-compliant until now should be held accountable) to the detriment of the general public,” Revilla said.
The lawmaker noted that LED billboards cause distractions to people traversing the roads because of glaring lights like motion billboards.
Revilla, who chairs the Senate Committee on Public Works, also raised a question on the structural integrity of billboards which are very prone to accidents during calamities as well.
“Kailangang matiyak ang kaligtasan ng mga motorista sa mga kapahamakang maaaring maging dulot ng mga naglalakihang billboards. Lubhang nakakaabala ng atensyon ang mga ito lalo na ‘yung mga nakakasilaw na posibleng mag-dulot ng aksidente sa kalsada sa mga maaaring ma-distract dito (We should ensure the safety of motorists from the danger huge billboards may pose. These distract their attention especially those which have blinding lights that can cause road accidents),” Revilla said, assuring that his panel will set a public hearing soon to tackle the resolution.
In March 2022, former President Rodrigo R. Duterte issued EO 165 prescribing regulations on out-of-home advertising signs and billboards, cognizant of the fact that “unregulated advertising signs and billboards pose traffic distractions and hazards and constitute threats to public safety.” (PNA)
