‘Bawal Billboard Tuwing Bagyo Act’ hurdles House

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — A proposed law that aims to prohibit the active use and display of commercial billboards during typhoons hurdled the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

Obtaining 205 affirmative votes, no negative votes, and four abstentions, House Bill No. 7174 or the “Bawal Billboard Tuwing Bagyo Act” was approved on the third and final reading at the lower chamber.

Under the bill, all outdoor advertising materials shall be automatically taken down by billboard operators 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 (Pagasa).

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

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

Violators of the bill shall be penalized with 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.