QC gov’t orders demolition of 6 ‘illegal’ billboards

They’re coming down.

A total of six billboards which can be found on Edsa will be taken down for violating the  building code and rules set by the Quezon City government.

Mayor Herbert Bautista recently ordered that notices be issued to the operators of the billboards for their failure to comply with the National Building Code and other regulations for the installation of billboards and signs.

The billboards are located on top of the Argo Building at 574 Edsa in Barangay Socorro, the Global Trade Center building at 1024 Edsa, the HPI Corp. building at 1026 Edsa, both in Barangay Ramon Magsaysay and a building at 1148 Edsa in Barangay Apolonio Samson.

The others are installed on the roof of the Francisco Gold II building—the office of the Department of the Interior and Local Government—at the corner of Edsa and Mapagmahal Street, Barangay Pinyahan and the Edsa Plaza building at the corner of Edsa and Quezon Avenue in Barangay South Triangle.

In ordering their demolition, Bautista said that the outdoor advertisements pose an imminent danger to life and property. Also to be taken down are other billboards and signs constructed on river easements.

The move is also part of the city’s programs for urban renewal, green building and climate change. Officials of the concerned agencies have been tapped to take charge of the demolition of the billboards and signs.

Under the city’s comprehensive signs, signboard or billboard ordinance of 2011, the design and construction of roof signs must conform to provisions of the National Building Code.

Violators face sanctions, including a fine of P5,000 or imprisonment of not more than six months or both, depending on the court’s discretion.