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EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS Se INDEX

Second Regular Session

House Bill No. 7174

INTRODUCED BY
REP. ALFRED VARGAS

AN ACT
PROHIBITING THE ACTIVE USE AND DISPLAY OF
COMMERICAL BILLBOARDS DURING TYPHOONS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services
Administration (PAGASA) records an average of 20 tropical cyclones that
enter the country’s area of responsibility every year. The damages of
typhoons are no stranger to the public. In recent years, the likes of
Typhoon Yolanda in 2013, Typhoon Pablo in 2012, and Typhoon Glenda in
2014 have cost billions of pesos and are recorded as the top three most
destructive typhoons in the country.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ)
in 2005 has published a report on the health and environmental hazards
brought about by the rising number of commercial billboards in the metro.
The continued use of billboards during typhoons pose a threat to general
public safety and are thus necessary to be regulated and mitigated.

This bill seeks to regulate the use of billboards during typhoons to
mitigate environmental and safety hazards of the use thereof.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly
sought.

FRED V. ‘AS



Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metco Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No. 7174

INTRODUCED BY
REP. ALFRED VARGAS

AN ACT
PROHIBITING THE ACTIVE USE AND DISPLAY OF
COMMERICAL BILLBOARDS DURING TYPHOONS

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines
in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. — The Act shall be known as the “Bawal Billboard
Tuwing Bagyo Act’

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to mitigate
the risk of billboard-related accidents during typhoons. For this purpose, the
operation of billboards during weather disturbances shall be strictly prohibited
as a public safety measure for the safety of motorists and pedestrians.

SECTION 3. Prohibition on the Active Use of Billboards During Typhoons.
~ All advertising materials shall be automatically taken down by the billboard
operator within 12 hours from an official announcement and/or release of a
Typhoon Signal No. 1 bulletin, or any other significant weather disturbance by
the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services
Administration (PAG-ASA). This 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.

SECTION 4. Penal Clause. - Any billboard operator or person who shall
violate the provisions of this Act shall be subject to a fine of not less than Three
Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 300,000.00), or the imprisonment of not less
than six months but not more than one year, upon the discretion of the court.


SECTION 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of
Public Works and Highway (DPWH) in consultation with the Metro Manila
Development Authority (MMDA) and other metropolitan councils and other
relevant agencies shall promulgate and issue the implementing rules and
regulations of this Act within sixty (60) days from the effectivity thereof.

SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, rules and
regulations or any part thereof inconsistent herewith are deemed repealed or
modified accordingly.

SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act shall
be declared unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder of the law or the
provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting.

SECTION 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days after
its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of
general circulation.

Approved,