MMDA tears down illegal billboards along Edsa

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Wednesday started to demolish billboard structures along Edsa that were found violating the National Building Code and without permits from local government units.

First to be removed was the billboard located near a gasoline station at the corner of Edsa and Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue in Barangay (village) Bel-Air.

According to MMDA traffic engineering director Neomie Recio, the billboard structure, which was put up by advertising firm United Neon, was dismantled by virtue of a demolition order issued by the Makati City government.

“The Makati government sought the MMDA’s help to dismantle the billboard frame since no action has been taken yet by the advertising company to address its violations,” Recio said, adding that the demolition order was issued by the Makati government in September 2007.

In his order, Makati City engineer Nelson Morales said they recommended the demolition of the structure because of its blatant violation of certain provisions of the Revised Philippine Highway Act and the National Building Code.

Prior to the issuance of the demolition order, Morales said a technical evaluation and field inspection of the advertising signage was conducted. He said their assessment revealed that the structure was “basically illegal and a nuisance, which is extremely hazardous as it poses imminent danger to life, health, safety and property of the public.”

The demolition of illegal billboards was part of the MMDA’s “Operation Roll Down, Baby,” a crackdown on gigantic billboards displayed along Edsa, which the agency, along with the DPWH and local government units, launched recently.

Last week, the MMDA filed criminal complaints against owners of buildings and outdoor advertising firms who have put up illegal billboards.—Tina G. Santos