Makati mayor orders crackdown on illegal billboards

Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay ordered yesterday the dismantling of all illegally constructed billboards which endanger the safety of the public.

He instructed the City Engineering Department to undertake a citywide demolition drive against advertising materials put up without valid permits especially along major thoroughfares in the city.

Binay said the crackdown forms part of the city government’s move to clear the city of unsafe and unstable structures which can, at any given moment, collapse or fall apart resulting in serious damage to property and injury to people.

"These illegally constructed billboards did not go under quality or safety tests which determine soundness and must therefore be removed," he stressed.

Binay bared plans for the creation of a Makati Billboard Masterplan which will not only identify areas where billboards can and cannot be put up, but will also standardize sizes.

The Sangguniang Panglungsod is studying the idea and has imposed an indefinite moratorium on the construction and installation of billboards.

Binay said the city government has dismantled some 52 illegally erected billboards since January last year, including those showing partial or total nudity as well as those with sexually suggestive images.

He reminded businessmen, advertising firms, and advertising agents to follow local laws and secure necessary permits before they post huge advertising materials in Makati or they will be dismantled. — Michael Punongbayan