DPWH orders quick removal of unsafe billboards
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) District Engineers in the region were told to immediately remove unsafe and illegal billboards in their areas or face administrative sanction.
DPWH 6 Director Rolando Asis recently ordered all District Engineers to carry out immediately the memorandum of Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane in line with the implementation of the "Operation Baklas Billboard" program of the department.
Undersecretary Rafael Yabut, Head Task Force Operation Baklas Billboard signed the memorandum which was sent to the different DPWH regional offices.
The memorandum dated October 16, 2008 directed all regional directors and district engineers to immediately dismantle billboards and signages constructed within the Road Right-of-Way even though complying with the Rules and Regulations of the Building Code and operating without valid permits outside the Road Right-of-Way.
Also, covered are billboards assessed or validated to be structurally deficient and abandoned and adjacent or near electrical wires and pose hazards to the public.
The said officials were also directed to regularly coordinate with their respective Local Building Officials to ensure compliance that these unsafe billboards are removed. They are also to submit all required and latest monitoring reports of existing dismantled billboards.
Yabut warned that he would not hesitate to recommend to Secretary Ebdane officials who fail to comply the memorandum for administrative sanction.
The "Operation Baklas Billboard" program is in compliance with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's Administrative Order Nos. 160 and 160-A dated October 4 and 10, 2006 that directed the DPWH to dismantle billboards and signages posing imminent danger to the public and constructed without valid permit. (PIA)