Quezon city: The Quezon City government now requires billboard owners, operators, and advertisers to secure, roll down, remove, or dismantle billboards and signage before severe weather strikes under a newly enacted ordinance aimed at preventing storm-related accidents.
According to Philippines News Agency, the city government said Ordinance No. SP-3515, S-2026, or the Quezon City Billboard Weather Safety Ordinance, "seeks to prevent accidents caused by billboards and large-format tarpaulins that may collapse, detach, or be blown away during strong winds and heavy rains, putting lives, private property, and critical infrastructure at risk."
"Once the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) or the Quezon City Government issues a public weather advisory for tropical depressions, storms, typhoons, heavy rainfall, strong winds, or other hazardous weather conditions, all covered billboards and signage must immediately be secured, rolled down, removed, dismantled, or otherwise rendered safe against displacement, detachment, or collapse," the QC government said.
It added that the ordinance applies to all billboard and signage owners, operators, lessors, lessees, advertisers, and other persons or entities responsible for billboards and signage installations, including those on government-owned properties within the city.
The ordinance also directs billboard owners and operators to closely monitor official weather advisories issued by PAGASA, the Quezon City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, and the Public Affairs and Information Services Department to ensure timely compliance.
Under the measure, violators will face escalating penalties. A first offense carries a written warning and a fine of PHP3,000 per day. A second offense is punishable by a PHP4,000 daily fine and a 15-day suspension of the billboard or signage permit, while a third and subsequent offense carries a PHP5,000 daily fine and revocation of the permit.
"The ordinance likewise provides for imprisonment, at the discretion of the court, depending on the gravity of the offense," the QC government said.
The ordinance also authorizes the QC government to remove or dismantle billboards and signages that pose an imminent danger during emergencies or calamities to further protect the public.
The cost of the operation will be charged to the owner, operator, or lessor, without prejudice to the filing of appropriate charges and the imposition of applicable penalties.
