Court upholds MRT posts ad materials

Marketing prevailed over beautification in the dispute between the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the MRT-3 along EDSA.

MMDA Chairman Benjamin Abalos, Sr. disclosed that their efforts to clean up the center island along EDSA of advertisements have been stopped because of a preliminary injunction issued by a Regional Trial Court judge in Pasig City.

The MMDA started removing the signs and posters from the structure of the MRT-3 early last year because of a number of legal issues.

MMDA General Manager Jaime Paz pointed out that the Metro Rail Transit Corporation violated the Building Code, National Highway Code and a Metro Manila Council ordinance when it posted the advertisements on its pillars along EDSA. It was also argued by the MMDA that the advertisements served as a distraction to drivers and an eyesore.

Paz earlier revealed that the MRT-3 contract allow for advertisements to be posted only inside the terminals.

In spite of the protests of MRT-3, the MMDA pushed through with the removal.

Trackworks Rail Transit Advertising Vending and Promotions, Inc., an advertising outfit that holds the contract for the MRT-3 filed a petition for injunction before the Pasig City RTC against the MMDA.

In his order, Judge Luis Tongco directed the MMDA to stop dismantling or destroying the signs and billboards installed by Trackworks.

The order was based on the argument of Trackworks that it "will suffer grave injustice and irreparable injury" if the MMDA continues to remove the advertisements. - Marvin Sy