19 billboards in city put up without permit

CEBU, Philippines - At least 19 billboards in Cebu City were constructed without permission from the Office of the Building Official.

 In a report furnished to the Office of the Vice Mayor yesterday, OBO identified at least 19 billboards that were put up illegally as of July 26, 2014. These billboards are up along Juan Luna corner M.J Cuenco Avenue, Mabolo; Gorordo Avenue, Kamputhaw; General Maxilom Avenue; Archbishop Reyes Avenue; Queensland, Gen. Maxilom Ext. Carreta; N. Bacalso Avenue across BFP Bldg;  Osmeña Blvd Sta. Cruz; Shopwise, N. Bacalso Avenue; F. Cabahug Street, Kasambagan; Lahug; and D. Jakosalem Corner Osmeña Blvd.

OBO made an inventory of and inspected all billboards in the city following complaints received by Vice Mayor Edgar Labella. 

“A number of billboards and other outdoor advertisements in the city that have been put up without the necessary permit from OBO and supporting barangay clearance. Also, they are quite dangerous to the safety of the public,” Labella said.

He said the owners of the billboards will be given a formal notice to comply with the requirements. 

Labella said illegal billboards are becoming rampant nowadays because the fine “is not that high”. The National Building Code only fines violators P5,000.

 Labella urged barangay officials to help regulate the construction or installation of billboards and other outdoor advertisements.

 “The barangays can help regulate and they can even collect regulatory fees, which is one of the taxing powers of the barangay,” he said, adding, “This is one of the ways which the barangays can raise revenues that’s why they should take an active role in the monitoring of illegally constructed billboards.”

 Sec. 152 (d) of the Local Government Code provides that the barangay has the authority to “levy reasonable fees and charges on billboards, signboards, neon signs, and outdoor advertisements.  (FREEMAN)