‘Never Again’ billboard at CICC to come down

The yellow billboard “Never Again” is coming down after weeks of controversial display.

It may happen today, said Jaydar Mendoza, one of the private convenors  behind the huge tarpaulin in front of the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC), which labels  the building’s P840-million cost a “waste of people’s money.”

Capitol officials advised the group to remove it because  a religious group will put up its  own tarpaulin there for a prayer event on Nov. 30, Monday.

Capitol officials said a Nov. 30 event for “Jesus Reins” requires the removal of the “Never Again” billboard at the CICC.

Assistant Provincial Administrator Ramil Abing, in a phone interview, said  organizers of “Jesus Reins” will hold a national celebration of Jesus Christ that day at the CICC.

“It’s up to (CGGD) if they intend to put the banner back or roll it up for good,” said Abing.

Mendoza, one of the convenors of the newly formed Cebuanos for Good Governance and Development,  said their group will no longer apply for a permit from the Mandaue City government.

He  told Cebu Daily News that convenors would probably take the billboard  down at 1 p.m. today after a meeting.

“The convenors will meet (this morning) to discuss this.  Nag request ang Cebu province to take it down.  Most probably, one thing will happen – we will take it down,” he said.

The identities of the convenors, and their avowed purpose to launch an anti-corruption campaign in Cebu in December to teach voters how to choose wisely in the 2016 election , have come under persistent question after the banner suddenly appeared in October.

Gov. Hilario Davide III said he wasn’t aware who put up the billboard until the media sought his comment.

His staff surfaced an Oct. 26 letter signed by Mariel Kay Estrada as lead convenor of the  CGGAD  informing Provincial Administrator Mark Tolentino,  not seeking permission,  that they have already mounted the streamer.

Opinions about the banner vary, from support for an expose about corruption in the CICC to harsh criticism against using a dilapidated government building for “political sloganeering”

Estrada, who is a  “transwoman”, said she joined such causes but prefers to keep her real identity private. She later withdrew as spokesperson.

A demand notice will be sent to the group by the Mandaue City Outdoor Advertising, Billboards and Structures Committee, which met yesterday to discuss violations of the CGGAD.

Jamaal James Calipayan, who represents Mayor Jonas Cortes in the committee, said the committee will require the group to follow regulations and get a permit — or face confiscation.

“First they must process all the requirements. If they don’t comply within ten days upon receipt, we will remove the streamers in 10 days,” he said, following a  Mandaue city ordinance.

He said they eceived a letter  on Nov. 20, from Medrozo apologizing to the city for not asking prior permission.

No one came forward until we received the  letter” Calipayan said.

In the letter, Medrozo said “We sincerely ask your kind forgiveness for our failure to notify your good office in relation to the tarpaulin posted at the Cebu International Convention Center” and requested for a permit in line with “freedom of expression.

“We will pay for the taxes involved,” he wrote at the time.

CDN learned that the group may be asking the Capitol’s help to take down the billboard, which measures 60 feet by 20 feet.

Because of the yellow campaign color of the Liberal Party, and Governor Davide’s repeated position not to spend a single peso from provincial coffers to repair the CICC, which he called a “monument of corruption”, many quarters find it hard to believe that Capitol officials were not part of the billboard campaign.

CDN called the mobile phone of spokesman Renil Oliva for comment.  He said he was in Manila and had no updates.

Estrada, in a phone conversation the other day, was talking about complying with Mandaue’s permit requirements.  She could not be reached last night.