First, a sampling of the feedback from readers and their own proposed remedies to the billboard malaise.
From RZ:
"I read your article about the billboards in our country and I agree that there’s too much clutter in our surroundings caused by these billboards. How I wish I had pictures to share of some regulated billboards in Thailand. After several visits to Bangkok a few years ago, I remember the billboards along the elevated highway leading towards the old airport having a simple yet sturdy design that could surely withstand typhoons. Each billboard was raised by a single cylindrical-shaped metal post from the ground that looked more resistant to strong winds. Then, a not so big (compared to regular ones along SLEX) rectangular billboard was fitted at the top. I also noticed that the billboards were evenly spaced by approximately 500 meters apart. Perhaps our government officials can use this example of Thailand to regulate our billboards and make our metropolitan landscape more soothing to everyone’s senses."
Great idea, RZ, although my opinion is that billboard spacing should be five kilometers apart, limited to the height of the lowest building within that distance, surrounded by a clear space twice the billboard’s height, and not allowed within a kilometer of a power line, highway or human settlement.
"Just wanted to comment on your "A mangled metropolis" column. In the same issue of Philippine STAR, another commentary gave the impression that billboards are not covered by the National Building Code "…Most billboards are built either inside private property lines, or atop privately-owned buildings, thus enabling owners to argue that they are not covered by the National Building Code." Of course, the fact is that the NBC is clear in its requirements and therefore does not enable owners to argue along those lines. As always, yours was an interesting read. Hopefully the message gets across the pertinent people."
Hay naku, JK, the problem is that all our laws are clear but nobody pays them any attention to them – even our courts, considered by many the refuge of people wishing to mangle the very laws that ought to protect those who have less in life (or who live under the billboards).
I received more e-mail and text messages – venting much stronger feelings about billboards and the disasters that commercial greed and a dodgy permits process foist on us.
Two statements from professional organizations reflect the serious extent design professionals pin the cause of these types of disasters to improper physical planning and disregard to principles of rational city and landscape design.
First, the statement from the environmental planners:
"The Philippine Institute of Environmental Planners (PIEP) applauds and supports the Presidential issuance of Administrative Order No. 160, and commends Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago for sponsoring Senate Bill No. 1714, and MMDA chair Bayani Fernando for his political will to implement our laws with regard to the unabated growth of billboards and signs.
"The Philippine Institute of Environmental Planners (PIEP) is an organization of professionals in the planning practice and allied professions, formed to promote the comprehensive physical, economic, socio-cultural, aesthetics and environment-friendly development of the different regions, cities and municipalities of the Philippines. Now in its 37th year, the PIEP continues to advocate and advance at all levels the study and practice of national, regional and urban planning and related arts and sciences.
"In reaction to the havoc that the Milenyo typhoon caused, the PIEP believes that the experience illustrates the danger that oversized billboards and signs pose to life, limb and property. Despite being contrary to the National Building Code, many billboards and signs had been set up as seen at EDSA and along the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX).
"Government actually helped fuel the continued growth of these billboards. Because of the advertisers’ belief that larger and overwhelming billboard size maximize their products promotion, and the lack of political will and or the liberality in the interpretation of these laws, our citizens have had to contend with a degraded quality of urban environment. The city’s streetscape is now filled with unwanted visual distractions creating a new kind of pollution – one that is visual.
"Our roads and legal easements form part of the public domain and are not, by definition, for private gain. Many of these billboards eat up into the required setbacks and open spaces within lots, thus depriving many of light and ventilation; and again violating the National Building Code. Being sited too close to the road and even within the road itself makes them safety and traffic hazards. Meanwhile, billboards are wrapped around buildings and this are also not allowed under Building Code.
"There are reports circulating of a 2005 Supreme Court decision involving billboards mounted on MRT structures – stating that they are allowed. What the Supreme Court actually ruled was that road right-of-way of EDSA was within the jurisdictional purview of the DPWH, not the MMDA, in terms of enforcement of the Building Code. The decision did not say that the billboards mounted on the MRT EDSA structures were legal.
"The PIEP strongly recommends and supports the executive and legislative initiatives to improve and update our laws, vigorously implement and enforce existing rules on billboards and signs, and curb the liberal interpretation of the National Building Code. To restore a visually pleasing skyline, a national density control guidelines or standards for sizes and configurations of billboards and signs should also be part of the new law.
"While we share in the grief that had bestowed on many of our people, the PIEP is optimistic that the recent sad experience with Milenyo has become a blessing in disguise; it has raised our awareness of physical planning issues and the desperate need for a better environment.
Finally, the landscape architects state their concerns:
"The Philippine Association of Landscape Architects (PALA) expresses its continuing concern for the welfare and safety of the public during typhoons and natural disasters. It has been PALA’s stand that private citizens, businesses and the government should take a proactive approach to mitigate the damage to property and danger to life and that these regular events bring. This approach can be facilitated by adopting proper site planning, urban design and landscape architectural schemes in designing our surroundings.
"Before this design-based approach can be implemented however, PALA first supports moves to eliminate the clear and present danger of oversized billboards and it advocates a total billboard ban along major highways and city streets. There should also be strict control of the use of commercial banners and signs that are hung from roadside poles, infrastructure pylons and even nailed to trees.
"Billboards and their giant steel frameworks block views of the sky, restrict the movement of air and compromise the aesthetics of our urban and rural skylines. Billboards crowd both our senses and the otherwise clean and green scenery we could have – if they were not allowed to be installed at every opportunity by opportunistic agents of urban blight. This blight is exacerbated by the tangled web of power lines, Cable TV spaghetti and telephone wires that fill almost all our urban districts.
"Proper planning and urban design of our public realm can ensure that blight is eliminated. With billboards eliminated and spaghetti cables buried, then adequate allocations for open green space can be given and the rational planning of roads, streets and highways finally effected. These interventions must include natural elements of trees, shrubs and ground covers. They soften harsher elements made of concrete and asphalt, humanizing the often overwhelming scale of flyovers, expressways, large modern buildings and overbuilt districts.
"In 1992, PALA, in association with the MMDA and other government agencies, had produced an urban greening handbook. In this publication, available at the MMDA, guidelines state clearly the proper steps to roadside tree and shrub planting. Dimensions are also given for proper road sections to ensure adequate planting areas for trees and shrubs, clearances for vehicles and full efficacy of the shade and filtering functions of trees. The handbook also gives a list of suitable species of trees (mostly endemic), with recommended spacing, along with maintenance programs to ensure that they grow correctly and strong.
"It is improper spacing and planting techniques that lead to weak-rooted trees. Uncontrolled construction beside trees can also compromise their root systems. Wrong pruning and the nailing of banners and signs on trees injure them and may lead to the tree’s death. Compaction of the earth around trees (because of concreting around the tree trunk) and the lack of guying for new trees are other factors that lead to falling trees. It is unavoidable that some trees may fall but proper landscape architectural design (by professionals) can ensure safe cityscapes. Other countries like Singapore and Malaysia have such urban landscapes – surprisingly using Philippine trees and shrubs like pterocarpus (narra) and mussaenda (the doñas). In progressive countries a comprehensive tree planting plan is required for public and private developments before permits to build are issued. A proper setting with buried utilities and allocated open and green spaces is created before even the first structure is put up. We can and should do the same here."
"The PIEP and PALA have offered their help to government and the private sector. They propose a proper way of building our cities that does not engender blight or disaster. We have to start now. Support the new billboard law. Push hard for proper physical planning, urban design and landscape architecture coupled with sustainable programs to correct our dysfunctional city.
There is hope, but we must start now. Already the tarpaulins of some billboards are being unfurled as this column sees print.