Opinion
Posted on July 17, 2011 07:48:22 PM
Beyond Brushstrokes -- By Marivic Rufino
Visual toxins
After a brief trip to a magnificent city in the Old World, one is glad to be home in the comfort zone. However, it takes time to settle in and readjust to the chaos and pollution in our metropolis. The contrast between the two cities is a bit disconcerting. One feels the culture shock.
The streets have dissonant sounds of honking horns and screeching brakes. Vehicles race to beat the traffic light. The avenues have few trees -- forlorn and wilting. There are not enough greens for parks. The sidewalks are crowded. The smoke belchers fumigate the city with toxins. The sky is gray -- overcast with smog. Our lungs are full of inhaled tar.One misses walking the idyllic European cities. One could stroll along the tree-lined avenidas with colorful blooms, the lush foliage in parks, the dancing fountains. One could gaze at the cobalt sky and the etched skyline with old, elegant architecture. Traffic is orderly. The police are visible in every corner to protect the people, ensure order, and apprehend violators.
Here, the traffic aides and cops hide in corners to spring surprise attacks and catch offenders. Often, they extort a quick buck after threatening to take the driver’s license.But they are blind to voiolations by VIPs in flashy cars with special (low number) plates. They allow these pricey cars to park in no-parking zones or to cross the streets when it is a yellow-red light. This happens in Makati every day.
Along EDSA, Guadalupe, and C-5, one gets shocked by visual blight -- billboards on building rooftops that look like monstrous playing cards.
Not only are the gigantic advertisements overpowering, some are tasteless and offensive. Who wants to see scantily clad men and models in their “designer” underwear in suggestive poses?
What has happened to the bill filed in the Senate to regulate and limit the number of unsightly billboards? These eyesores are hazardous and life threatening during typhoons.
During storms, winds tear the structures and tarpaulins from the scaffoldings. Houses and people are crushed by the weight of torn, tumbling metal. Not to mention the possibility of electrocution from the electric and telephone wires. Typhoons have disrupted and halted the MRT operations for many hours. People are often stranded waiting for the trains to run. The culprit? Fallen billboards.
The lot and building owners make good money from rental income from billboards.The local government also charges hefty fees. Maybe the BIR should charge 100% more taxes for those ubiquitous outdoor ads. (That would boost the national and city governments’ coffers.)
While it is practical to use ads to promote products, there should be a limit to the number in any given area of square kilometer. There should be a ratio in relation to the number and the size of ads. A plea to local governments, the legislators and MMDA:
Please limit the number of commercial billboards erected in zones of heavy traffic and along highways. Spare us from visual indigestion and the tidal wave of commercial brainwashing. Besides, the drivers get distracted by the ads!
Let’s clean up!
