Fernando OKs use of tarpaulins as palay drying beds

Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Bayani Fernando has agreed to a suggestion by Palawan Rep. Abraham Mitra that his controversial tarpaulins – widely considered as political ads – be used as drying beds for palay in the rural areas.

“No problem with me. They could get those tarpaulins and use them in the countryside for rice production. But they better hurry because the squatters in Metro Manila would beat them to it,” Fernando said.

Fernando pointed out that the squatters are equally interested in the tarpaulins, which bear Fernando’s image, to use in their shanties. Pedicab drivers are also interested in the tarpaulins, which they can fashion into hoods for their sidecars.

At the bottom each tarpaulin is a warning that the ad material is government property and mere possession of it would be punishable by law.

Fernando said the MMDA tarpaulins were meant to catch the attention of the public and convey the message about the necessity of changing for the better.

The tarpaulins were met with criticism as Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay and Paranaque Rep. Roilo Golez had several of them removed in the two cities.

Fernando said at least 350 of the tarpaulins have been spread all through the length of EDSA as well as in other areas in Metro Manila.

“Go ahead, they could use the tarpaulins in the countryside. But they just have to make sure that each of the country’s congressional district would have a tarpaulin each,” Fernando said, adding that there would be enough for the more than 250 congressional districts.