Ad group seeks direct hand in poster permits
Private advertising companies are now working for a direct involvement in the issuance of permits in a bid to minimize accidents involving defective billboard structures.
Outdoor Advertising Association of the Philippines (OAAP) chairman Carlo Llave also proposed that an independent body be created to regulate the construction of advertising sign structures.
He stressed that the government should allow the OAAP to have more authority to standardize and control the proliferation of oversized and misplaced billboards in the metropolis.
"Since the billboard business is growing continuously, we feel that it is time for the government to give OAAP more teeth just like the KPB (Kapisanan ng mga Broadkaster sa Pilipinas) which monitors majority of the broadcast media,’’ Llave added.
Llave assured that the OAAP, if given the authority, would ensure that all constructed billboards would conform to the standards and regulations under the National Building Code (NBC).
The plan is to have the OAAP consulted before the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the local building officials grant the permit to prospective advertising applicants.
Llave said the involvement of the private sector would prevent the erroneous granting of building permits since there is a second eye or a check and balance in the transaction.
Earlier, the OAAP traced the billboard controversy to the varying regulations of every city and town in the metropolis, resulting into the tearing down of advertising sign boards.
A member of the OAAP said red tape, more than the different advertising guidelines and requirements of the locality, was the root of the billboard collapse.
The OAAP member added that the Office of the Ombudsman should look into reports that some Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) personnel may be involved in questionable deals in the advertising industry.
"We are legitimate businessmen who only want an even level of playing field. I have received reports that some government officials have tie-ups with other advertising groups,’’ the OAAP member added.
Due to alleged mounting complaints, the MMDA is set to remove illegally placed and oversized billboards along the major thoroughfares and main streets on Sept. 15.
The OAAP member said the MMDA should tear down all illegal billboards, including those owned by the associates of government officials and influential groups. (Chito A. Chavez)
