House OKs billboard display ban during typhoons

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives approved on third and final reading on Tuesday night a bill seeking to ban the display of commercial billboards during typhoons.

A total of 205 lawmakers voted in favor of House Bill 7174 or the proposed Bawal Billboard Tuwing Bagyo Act in a bid to mitigate the risk of billboard-related incidents during typhoons.

Authored by Quezon City fifth district Rep. Alfred Vargas, the bill seeks to take down all outdoor advertising materials within 12 hours after an announcement by the state weather bureau of a typhoon signal or any other significant weather disturbance.

The ban will be in effect for the duration of the typhoon.

Tarpaulin-based billboards shall be taken down while electronic-based billboards shall be switched off during this period.

Violators face fines of not less than P300,000 or imprisonment of not less than six months but not more than a year.

The implementing rules and regulations of the proposed law will be formulated by the Department of Public Works and Highway in consultation with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Department of the Interior and Local Government and other relevant agencies within 60 days from its effectivity.

Vargas lauded the House leadership for putting the measure in the chamber’s priority list of legislation.

He cited a report published by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism on the increasing number of commercial billboards along major thoroughfares, especially in Metro Manila.

“The continued use of billboards during typhoons poses a threat to public safety and should be regulated and mitigated,” Vargas said.