OAAP did its duty

We write on behalf our of client, Outdoor Advertising Association of the Philippines (“OAAP”), in relation to the inaccurate report written by Mike Frialde, “MMDA to sue Balintawak billboard owner” (July 31, 2012) posted in philstar.com.

It was reported that, according to Jose Reynaldo Lunas, head of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Urban Development Division, his office informed OAAP of the need to roll-down billboard tarpaulins due to typhoon Gener even before 29 July 2012. Please note that no such information came from his office. Contrary to what was reported, it was OAAP who first informed MMDA, on 29 July 2012 that it has already advised its members to roll down billboards due to inclement whether condition.

OAAP, based on its policy of self-regulation, has been consistently monitoring, through Pagasa the weather condition in the country in order to issue advice to its members of the need to roll-down billboards. Accordingly, OAAP issues said advice to its members when storm signal no. 1 has been raised, or even when no storm signal has been raised, or even when no storm signal has been raised yet if the condition is becoming worse. Also, OAAP has been generous in sharing information to non-members who request advice on rolling down-billboards during inclement weather condition.

In fact, as early as 29 July 2012 at 11:31 p.m., OAAP had advised its members of the need to roll down billboards if necessary, due to the weather condition, Also, on 30 July 2012, at 12:37 a.m. OAAP sent a notice to its members, copy furnished MMDA and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, requesting all its members to send out as soon as possible all their respective maintenance/installers to patrol EDSA, C5, SLEX and NLEX, and rolldown the tarpaulins because of strong winds. Members and non-members alike were also requested to assist in rolling down damaged tarpaulins. It is important to note that NDRRMC, through its Regional Director Susana Cruz, confirmed receipt of the OAAP notice, through a message sent six minutes after the notice was sent or 12:43 a.m. of the same day.

OAAP, has sent further notices to its members at 9:20 a.m. and 11:39 a.m. on 30 July 2012.

The inaccuracy of your news article posted online, stemmed from your reporter Mike Frialde’s failure to get the side of OAAP on the matter. While we resent the act of your reporter for apparent bias, this matter however is still correctible by publishing this letter.