House OKs proposed ‘Bawal Billboard Tuwing Bagyo Act’ on 2nd reading

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives approved on second reading the bill seeking to prohibit the active use and display of commercial billboards during typhoons.

During Tuesday’s session, the lower chamber approved through voice voting House Bill No. 7174 or the “Bawal Billboard Tuwing Bagyo Act.”

Under the measure, all outdoor advertising materials shall be automatically taken down by the billboard operator within 12 hours from an official announcement or release of a Typhoon Signal No. 1 bulletin or any significant weather disturbance by the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pag-asa).

The prohibition shall be in effect for the duration of the weather disturbance, the bill states.

“For this purpose, contents on tarpaulin-based billboards shall be taken down, while electronic-based billboards shall be switched off during this period,” the bill states.

Billboard operators violating the measure shall be subjected to a fine of not less than P300,000 or imprisonment of not less than six months but not more than one year, upon the court’s discretion.

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