DPWH dismantles 500 billboards

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has dismantled over 500 billboards from Quezon Avenue to Quiapo last week, and is now planning to do the same along EDSA and the Southern Luzon Expressway (SLEX) soon.

National Building Code Development Office (NBCDO) executive director Emmanuel Cuntapay said they are also planning to file charges against 10 billboard service providers for violating the provisions of the National Building Code (NBC).

“We have cleared it with the DOJ (Department of Justice). We are planning on suing 10 service providers, mostly in Metro Manila,” Cuntapay said.

The billboards and signages owned by these providers are located along road rights of way (RROWs), he said.

However, Cuntapay said these are in violation of Presidential Decree 17 as amended and Section 2001 of the NBC.

At the height of typhoon “Frank,” strong winds toppled a Swatch billboard in Pasig, which caused damages to adjacent houses. The structure had no signboard permit.

Cuntapay said that the department was not able to dismantle the structure immediately because its focus was concentrated on those situated along RROWs.  – Sandy Araneta