Outdoor ad firms back proposed regulations

The Outdoor Advertising Association of the Philippines (OAAP) yesterday vowed to support new regulations on billboards under the proposed bill of Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago.

OAAP president Frank Abueva said they have no objections to Senate Bill (SB) 1714, or the Anti-Billboard Blight Act, which has been certified by President Arroyo as urgent to prevent future risk to life and property posed by illegal or hazardous billboards.

Abueva, however, said they have their own input and suggestions on the proposed law on billboards: "We are currently reviewing provisions in the bill, but as far as we’re concerned we support this initiative of Sen. Santiago."

The group has been working with the staff of Santiago and has submitted a position paper on the proposed bill.

"They assured us that we would be invited to the deliberation," the OAAP head said.

Under SB 1714, a full moratorium would be imposed on construction of billboards if they obstruct or obscure the view of drivers and pedestrians.

The bill limits the size of any billboard to 300 square feet and at a height of 50 feet from the ground.

Also illegal are billboards that blocks the scenery from the highways; those located in residential zones; those erected on public property, on telephone or utility poles, or natural features such as trees and rocks.

Santiago also proposed to make illegal the erection of billboards on roof of buildings and those whose construction obstructs the windows or doorways of adjacent buildings.

In addition to the ban on certain billboards, the bill also requires a billboard to be constructed at a minimum of 1,000 feet away from any interchange, right-of-way, street intersection, historic sites and public buildings.