Billboard operators told to secure permit, follow specifications
CEBU CITY, Philippines — With the proliferation of billboards and signages in Cebu City, the Office of the Building Official (OBO) has reminded billboard operators to secure permit from the office and follow specifications to ensure safety of people and properties.
Cebu City OBO head Architect Florante Catalan said installation of billboards without the necessary permit violates Presidential Decree no. 1096, adopting a National Building Code of the Philippines.
Catalan, during a media forum on Wednesday, August 3, 2022, acknowledged noticing billboards installed in the City that violated the regulations for billboards and advertising signages.
But because some of the billboards lack operator contact information, Catalan also admitted that serving notices to violators is extra challenging at times.
“Actually, akong nakita is bawal ang back to back, but naa sa actual. So, need to enforce pa the balaod and amo pa ng pandakpon,” he said.
“Amo lang is lisod…kung asa namo ipada ang notices. Usahay amo pa jud ng i-dig up ang mga information…Amo lang na gi trace kung asa na nga building, anha pa mi maka serve og mga notices,” he added.
Catalan, however, did not specify yet how many notices they have already sent to erring billboard operators.
The possibility of drafting or implementing a city ordinance requiring billboard operators to display their contact information was also raised during the forum.
“If possible naa untay mga contact numbers para ma contact namo, labi na, for example, naay mga bagyo-bagyo,” Catalan said.
Last March 21, 2022, former president Rodrigo Duterte signed Executive Order no. 165, regulating out-of-home advertising signs and billboards.
Under the five-page EO, newly constructed billboard structures should have at least five meters of setback from the frontage property line, measured perpendicularly up to the support structure.
Existing static billboards or LED billboards with a setback of less than five meters must comply with the guidelines for size of display surface and height of billboard structures and pertinent clearances from the high tension wire as prescribed in the Philippine Electrical Code.
First page of the EO no. 165 signed by former President Rodrigo Duterte./Official Gazette/Wenilyn B. Sabalo
/bmjo
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