MANILA, Philippines – Advertisement billboards of the MRT Development Corp. (MRT Devco) along the MRT 3 tracks in EDSA were among those dismantled by the Department of Public Works and Highways in their ongoing move to stem the proliferation of illegally installed advertisements in Metro Manila.
The move comes as the country braces for the typhoon season and the risk of strong winds knocking down billboards and becoming killer debris looms.
Out-of-home media company Trackworks, which claims exlusive advertising rights at the MRT 3, stressed that their billboard mounts and posts, were not dismantled by the DPWH.
It clarified that the billboards dismantled by the DPWH at the MRT were those installed by a company called Media Puzzle, which is backed by the Sobrepeña-chaired MRT Devco.
Bing Kimpo, Trackworks spokesperson, said that MRT general manager Rey Berroya has recently told DPWH personnel clearing the MRT 3 system of illegal advertisements that he has denied Trackworks permits to conduct their business at the MRT for several months now. This, in turn, gave Media Puzzle the opportunity to install their ads.
Trackworks explains that it has a clearance from the DPWH for its advertising structures on the MRT. It has also attempted to perform preventive maintenance and other work in compliance with DPWH directives, but has not been able to recently because its permit applications have continuously been denied by Berroya.
Trackworks, has filed criminal cases against both Media Puzzle and MRT Devco for usurpation of private property.
The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) issued a final demand for MRT Devco to settle P1 billion in unpaid Development Rights Payments due the national government. However, this P1 billion unpaid obligation has been denied by the MRT Devco.