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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SEN'1Sg 
S. N o. ~-=.-=-:=--
IU· 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 9, provides: 
The State shall promote a just and dynamic social order that will 
ensure the prosperity and independence of the nation and free the 
people from poverty through policies ... that provide an improved 
quality of life for all. 
-'-> ' 
In 2004, there were already about 8,000 billboards in the Metropolitan Manila Area 
(MMA) and these continue to grow in number and size. The larger ones are found mainly along 
EDSA, particularly in the stretches found in the cities of Mandaluyong and Makati, along the 
South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), and practically along every major metropolitan thoroughfare 
with high vehicular and pedestrian traffic. In the SLEX for instance, these maybe found at 
densities [rom 5 to 12 billboards per kilometer. 
Apparently, advertisers believe that the larger and more overwhelming the size of the 
billboard, the better it would be for promoting their products. While this may benefit advertisers, 
the billboards foisted on the hapless commuters actually degrade the quality of the streetscape 
experience. The road right-of-way (RROW, commonly termed "street") is a public domain and 
for the general public to use, enjoy, and experience. Instead, parts of the RROW have become 
claustrophobic, unsafe and unkempt, mainly due to the overwhelming presence of billboards and 
their steel support structures. The streetscape has become one large convoluted and cluttered 
canvass of oftentimes unwanted visual information we can all do without. Billboards now 
contribute to a new kind of pollution - one that is visual, without even mentioning some moral 
questions engendered by some. 


In the face of private enterprise and the promise of regular income, local govel11ment 
units (LOlls) have taken the easy way out and have often colluded with private entities to violate 
national laws on buildings and structures in order to accommodate the erection of billboards. Not 
content with cutting up or festooning the strcetscape with their visual clutter, we now find 
billboards wrapped around buildings (compromising natural light and ventilation) or mounted on 
firewalls of tall buildings (violating prescribed limits on physical development potentials and 
even property rights). There is an urgent need to restore order in our streets and in our properties 
and we can start by correcting mistakes spawned by the liberal interpretation of the intent oflaws 
on buildings and structures as these apply to billboards. 
This bill seeks to impose stricter safety standards for billboards, and will punish erring 
billboard owners, users, and government officials.' 
Lw-. 4~.-- .~~ 
MIRIAM DEF NSOR S~TI¥I0 
bf.%' 
, l11is bill was originally filed during the Fourteenth Congress, First Regular Session. 
2 


I 
2 
3 
4 
,Sl'l111tr 
HJffl\f llf ttF :~','n'tbr~ 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
'13 
JUL ··1 
-
eli:27 
SENAI'S 
S.No. 
8 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
REGULATING THE PLACEMENT OF BILLBOARDS 
INCLUDING THEIR SUPPORT STRUCTURES 
ALONGSIDE NATIONAL ROADS AND ROWS 
:' H\"rt-
I 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
5 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "The Billboard Regulation 
6 
Act." 
7 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the declared policy of the State to ensure an 
8 
improved quality of life for all through continuing efforts to improve the natural/built and 
9 
physical/non-physical environments. It is also the policy of the state to preserve public spaces as 
10 
public domain and not to allow the use of such spaces for private enjoyment nor benefit. 
11 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the terms 
12 
(1) 
"Air Right" means the right to physically develop and subsequently benefit or 
13 
profit from the continued use of the air space above the national road right-of-way (RROW) or 
14 
other national rights-of-way (ROWs) or legal easements or private/ public property outside or 
15 
along such ROWs or easements, subject to the payment of lease to the appropriate party for 
16 
availing of such rights. The upper limit of the air rights is the airways navigational path such as 
17 
the clearance limits of aerodrome and flight patterns. 
1 


(2) 
"Alignments" are the surface areas/spaces traversed by a national RROW, similar 
2 
ROWs, legal easements or similar public spaces, which form part of the public domain and are 
3 
therefore disallowed sites for billboards. 
4 
(3) 
"Accredited 
Professional 
Organization 
(APO)" 
is 
a 
non-governmental 
5 
organization (NGO) of regulated development professionals who deal purely with the natural and 
6 
built environments, duly accredited by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). 
7 
(4) 
"Architect" is a regulated development professional who is a holder of a . 
8 
Certificate of Registration or of a Special/Temporary Permit to Practice the profession of 
9 
architecture in the Philippines and of a license in the form of a professional identification (ID) 
10 
card duly issued by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) in full accordance with RA 
11 
No. 9266, its IRR and derivative regulations. 
12 
(5) 
"Billboard" means a non-mobile attention-getting device consisting of a support 
13 
structure, a display or message area, a lighting system and related components. The term also 
14 
refers to all types of identification, description, illustration, images, pictures, display or device 
15 
which is affixed to or represented directly or indirectly upon a portion of a building/structLlfc, 
16 
support structure or land and which directs attention to a product, place, activity, person, 
17 
institution, business, idea or belief. The term shall be generic and shall collectively refer to but 
18 
not be limited to multi-media or tri-vision billboards, neon or other illmninated signs, painted 
19 
signs and the like. 
20 
(6) 
"Billboard Unit" or "BU" shall refer to one (1) display with a total surface area of 
21 
anywhere between seven and five tenth square meters (7.5 sqm) minimum to twenty eight square 
22 
meters (28 sqm, at a total panel height of 4 meters by a length of 7 meters, including border and 
23 
trim but excluding supports) maximum for existing/proposed national urban RROWs/ROWs and 
24 
anywhere between twenty eight and one tenth square meters (28.1 sqm,) minimum to fifty six 
25 
square meters (56 sqm) maximum to at a total panel height of 6 meters by a length of 9.33 meters 
26 
(including border and trim but excluding supports) maximum for existing/proposed national rural 
27 
RROWs/ROWs. 
28 
(7) 
"Building Height Limit or BHL" means the maximum height to be allowed for a 
29 
building/structure based on their proposed use/occupancy. The BHL is generally measured from 
2 


the established grade line to the topmost portion of such a building/structure, inclusive of a 
2 
billboard mounted on top of such a building/structure. 
3 
(8) 
"Cantilevered Support Structure" means a support structure that is not directly 
4 
planted on the ground or any portion of the national RROW, similar ROWs or legal easement; 
5 
such a structure may rest on a portion of a building or another support structure not originally 
6 
planned/designed to support a billboard; a cantilevered structure is necessary so that the effective 
7 
width of the sidewalk or similar components of the RROW are neither compromised nor 
8 
lessened; 
9 
(9) 
"Carriageway" or "Roadway" means the portion or component of the national 
10 
RROW on which land-based transpOltation conveyances such as motor vehicles are allowed to 
11 
pass or parle For national RRROWs, the tem1 may be "Railway" and for national WROWs, the 
12 
applicable term may be "Waterway" or "Vessel-way". 
13 
(10) 
"Content" means the message and image components of a display which may be 
14 
advertising, commercial, directional or general public information in intent. 
15 
(11) 
Controlled portion of the road right-of-way (RROW) of a proposed national rural 
16 
road or within 150 meters of the edge of the RROW of an existing national rural road or within 
17 
100 meters of the edge of the RROW ofa proposed national urban road within 50 meters of the 
18 
edge of the RROW of an existing national urban road; the foregoing shall apply to similar rights-
19 
of-way (ROWs) as defined ill1der this Act; the classification as to proposed or existing national 
20 
RROW or ROW shall be defined by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in 
21 
the implementing rules under Section 15 ofthis Act; 
22 
(12) 
"Display" means the material or device mounted on the billboard support 
23 
structure together with its content/message. A display surface area in excess of one square meter 
24 
(1 sqm), with a least dimension of one meter (Jm), shall be considered part of a billboard. 
25 
26 
(13) 
"DILG" means the Department ofInterior and Local Government. 
(14) 
"DOTC" means the Department of Transportation and Communication which 
27 
maintains exclusive control over national ROWs. 
28 
(15) 
"DPWH" meilns the Depmtment of Public Works and Highways which maintains 
29 
exclusive control over national RROWs. 
3 


(16) 
"Environmental Planner" is a regulated development professional who is a holder 
2 
of a Certificate of Registration or of a Special/Temporary Permit to Practice the profession of 
3 
architecture in the Philippines and of a license in the form of a professional identification (ID) 
4 
card duly issued by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) in full accordance with P.D. 
5 
1308, its IRR and derivative regulations. 
6 
(17) 
"Firewall" means a reinforced masonry or reinforced concrete separator with the 
7 
appropriate fire-resistive rating and which shall be positioned between buildings/stmctures to 
8 
maintain the fire integrity of each building/stmcture. Firewalls that are erected along and/or 
9 
above property lines utilize a substantial portion of the maximum development potential of a 
10 
property and shall therefore have no openings except for the permitted vent wells specified under 
11 
the 1977 National Building Code of the Philippines (NBCP) and its Implementing Rules and 
12 
Regulations (IRR). Firewalls are not envisioned as a mounting surface for billboards and other 
13 
types of display under the NBCP and its IIU{ as such billboards/displays also constitute a fire and 
14 
safety hazard to an adjoining property. 
15 
(18) 
"Intersections" are common surface areas or spaces shared by two (2) or more 
16 
national RROWs, similar ROWs or legal easements or a mix of such public spaces, which form 
17 
part of the public domain and are therefore disallowed sites for billboards. 
18 
19 
(19) 
"IRR" means the Implementing Rules and Regulations. 
(20) 
"Legal Easement" means a public open space mandated under law that must be 
20 
absolutely free of all forms of physical obstructions that can negatively affect natural light and 
21 
ventilation within such a space or that can impede access to or the f·ull recreational use of such a 
22 
space by the general public. Legal easements also refer to the public area that may lie between 
23 
the legally usable portions of a private/public property and natural or built bodies of water Or 
24 
waterways. 
25 
(21 ) 
"Lighting System" means the luminaries/complete lighting units, power source 
26 
and connections, controls and all support structures/devices that ensure the continuous 
27 
illumination of a display. 
28 
(22) 
"LGU" means the Local Government Unit (LGU) as defined under R.A. No. 
29 
7160, otherwise known as the 1990 Local Government Code. 
4 


(23) 
"MinimlUTI Billboard Unit" shall refer to one (1) display with a maximum total 
2 
surface area of seven and five tenth square meters (7.50 sqm), a mUltiple of the 225 sqm 
3 
Maximum Billboard Unit. It shall have a least dimension of one meter (1m). 
4 
(24) 
"Maximum Billboard Unit" shall refer to one (1) display with a maximum total 
5 
surface area of two hundred twenty five square meters (225 sqm). 
6 
7 
(25) 
"MMDA" means the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority. 
(26) 
"NBCP" means the 1977 National Building Code of the Philippines, otherwise 
8 
known as Presidential Decree or P.D. No. 1096 or its future iterations. 
9 
(27) 
"Non-Conforming Billboard" means any billboard lawfully constructed prior to 
10 
the enactment of this Act, but which fails to conform to its provisions. 
1 1 
(28) 
"Billboard" means a billboard positioned at a fixed location, usually along a 
12 
national road right-of-way (RROW), where it can be readily and continuously viewed by the 
13 
passing public. 
14 
(29) 
"Official Signs" mean directional or infonnation-conveying signs, in whatever 
15 
form allowed under the lRR of this Act that are officially issued and erected by or through the 
16 
national or local government for the purpose of public service. 
17 
(30) 
"Professional Regulation Commission" is the entity that administers the regulated 
18 
professions in the Philippines, including those that deal with the natural and built envirot1l11ents, 
19 
in full accordance with R.A. No. 8981 (The PRC Modernization Act of 2000), its lRR and 
20 
derivative regulations. 
21 
(31) 
"Professional Regulatory Boards (PRBs)" are the regulatory entities overseeing 
22 
the practice of regulated professionals lmder the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) e.g. 
23 
the PRB of Architecture, the PRB of Environmental Planning. 
24 
(32) 
Regulated Area means all areas inside the boundaries of a LOU which are 
25 
adjacent to and within 201 meters of the edge of the national road right-of-way (RROW) within 
26 
that LOU. Where a controlled portion of the national RROW terminates at a LOU boundary 
27 
which is not perpendicular or normal to the centerline of the national RROW, a regulated area 
28 
also means all areas inside the boundary of such LOU which are within 201 meters of the edge of 
29 
. the right-of-way of the national RROW in the adjoining LOU. 
5 


(33) 
"Residual Areas" are spaces that may fall outside the alignments or intersections 
2 
of two (2) or more national RROWs, similar ROWs or legal easements or a mix of such public 
3 
spaces, which still form part of the public domain and are therefore disallowed sites for 
4 
billboards. 
5 
(34) 
"ROW" means a national Right-of-Way, including the airspace above such a 
6 
ROW. 
7 
(35) 
"RROW" or national "Road-Right-of-Way" or "Street" means a public open 
8 
space for the continuous flow of pedestrian and vehicular traffic, including the air space above 
9 
such RROW that must be free of all forms of prohibited physical obstructions. The national 
10 
RROW or street is the surface area lying between two (2) or more parallel properties and its 
11 
width is horizontally measured from opposite property lines. 
12 
(36) 
"RRROW" means a national Railroad-Right-of-Way consisting of the railway/ 
13 
tramway/tracks on which the trains actually pass; the buffer areas on either side of the railway 
14 
for operational safety and fixed facilities for passenger exchanges, inclusive of the airspace 
15 
above such a RRROW. 
16 
(37) 
"Support Structure" means the rigid framework on which the display or attention-
[7 
catching device of a billboard shall be mounted. The foundation and superstructure for part of the 
18 
support structure. 
19 
(38) 
"Property Line" means the imaginary or defined line or a set of such 
20 
interconnected lines and denoting the limits of a property. 
21 
(39) 
"Setback" means a one (l)-dimensional quantity denoting the level horizontal, 
22 
distance measured at a ninety degree angle (90') from the line formed by the outermost face of a 
23 
building/structure or billboard support structure to a property line, whereby both lines run 
24 
parallel to each other. 
25 
(40) 
"Sidewalk" means the portion on each side of the national road right-ol:way 
26 
(RROW) for the exclusive use of pedestrians and the disabled who are in transit. 
27 
(41) 
"Scenic Vista" shall refer to a naturally occurring or a good combination of 
28 
natural and man-made features in the viewable landscape and which offers the viewer a 
29 
refreshing visual experience or respite. 
6 


1 
(42) 
"Temporary Sign" means a sign made offabric/cloth, vinyl/plastic or similar light 
2 
and/or combustible material, with or without frame i.e., streamers, bills, posters and the like that 
3 
are installed within or outside a ROW for display/public viewing for a limited period of time, 
4 
subject to the issuance of the required permit/so 
5 
(43) 
"UROW" means the Utility Right-of~Way means the area on which public utility 
6 
lines e.g. power, telecommunications, water supply, drainage, sewer, gas, etc. are allowed to 
7 
pass, including buffer/safety zones, service/maintenance areas and the airspace above such a 
8 
UROW. 
9 
(44) 
"View Corridor" means the visually lillobstructed width, depth and height of all 
10 
available sight lines running through and along national RROWs, legal easements and similar' 
11 
ROWs, open spaces within lots including yards and courts or through and along designated 
12 
public spaces including recreational areas. View corridor also means specific ranges of sight 
13 
lines from a building or structure to a specific natural or man-built object and/or development 
14 
considered ofbeallly or value. 
15 
(45) 
"WROW" means a national Water Right-of-Way found in inland waterways such 
16 
as rivers, streams, lakes, canals and the like and consisting of the waterway/vessel-way on which 
17 
boats/ships/barges pass, the embankments and pOltions of the shore areas used to access the 
18 
waterway/vessel-way, including the airspace above slIch a WROW. 
19 
(46) 
"Yard" means a two (2)-dimensional space consisting of the vacant land area 
20 
between the outermost portion of a billboard including its support structure and the property 
21 
lines. 
22 
SECTION 4. Regulation of Billboards. - Any billboard erected, modified, retrofitted, 
23 
rehabilitated or otherwise altered and thereafter exhibited after the effective date of this Act shall 
24 
comply with the following requirements: 
25 
4.1. Position along National RROWs, ROWs and Legal Easements 
26 
(1) 
No billboard shall be located in a position that obstructs or obscures the view of 
27 
vehicular or pedestrian traffic in such a mam1er as to endanger their safe movement thereof. 
7 


billboards shall not be erected in a manner that can confuse or obstruct the view or interpretation 
2 
of any official traffic sign, signal or device. 
3 
(2) 
The outermost portion or projection of a billboard or its support structure or its 
4 
lighting system shall be located at least five meters (5m) from the outermost line of the national 
5 
street or RlWW, RRROW, UROW, WROW, legal easement and the like. 
6 
(3) 
13illboards shall not be erected on any structure or portion thereof found within 
7 
the national RROW, RRROW, UROW, WROW, legal easement and the like. The air rights over 
8 
such ROWs and legal easements shall not be availed of for the purpose of erecting billboards. 
9 
(4) 
Temporary signs, regardless of material, intended use and size, including election-
10 
related signs 01' signs showing the names and/or likeness of elective/appointed officials, shall not 
11 
be strung or installed over or across a national RROW, RRROW, UROW, WROW, legal 
12 
easement and the like, unless otherwise permitted by the LOU concerned but in no case shall the 
13 
period of display exceed seven (7) calendar days. The LGU shall thereafter remove said 
14 
temporary sign/s at the cost of the Owner. 
15 
(5) 
Reckoned from the edge of the national RROW, all displays shall have a 
16 
minimum clear/unobstructed viewing distance of from fifty to one hundred meters (50m to 
17 
100m) within the Metropolitan Manila Area and up to two hundred and one meters (201) outside 
18 
Metro Manila. 
19 
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(6) 
No billboard shall be located within more than two hundred and One meters 
(201m) of the outermost portion of all interchanges or of the outermost portion of the national 
right-of-way (ROW) of all underpasses, overpasses, bridges, tunnels, stationlterminallinter-
modal/multi-modal structures and the like or from the center of an intersection. For existing/ 
proposed national RROW widths of forty meters (40m) wide or wider, a distance of from fifty to 
one hundred and fifty meters (50m to 150m) shall apply. 
(7) 
No part of a billboard including its support suucture shall be placed on, in or over 
any public property/domain, including natioual pUblic/u'ansportation/utility ROWs or 
utility/drainage easements or upon telephone/utility poles or upon natural features such as trees, 
rocks and the like. In particular, biliboards shall not be erected or maintained or violate the air 
rights above a carriagewaylroadway, railway or waterway/vessel-way. 
8 


(8) 
Billboards shall not be erected at residual areas or along intersections of national 
2 
RROWs, RRROWs, ROWs and legal easements or at or along intersections of such public 
3 
spaces. 
4 
(9) 
Billboards that may obscure or obstruct the view of vehicular or pedestrian traffic 
5 
or that may interfere, imitate, l:esemble or be confused with official traffic signs, signals or 
6 
devices shall not be permitted. billboards that prevent a clear and unobstructed view of official 
7 
traffic signs in approaching or merging traffic shall also not be permitted. 
8 
(10) 
No billboard that may impair any scenic vista or view corridor from the national 
9 
RROW/legal easement or from a building/structure along such RROW/legal easement shall be 
10 
permitted unless the owner of the building/structure waives his right to such scenic vista or view 
11 
corridor in writing. 
12 
4.2. Position within Private Property or Public Property outside RROWslROWslLegal 
13 
Easements 
14 
(1) 
All billboards shaH be erected in conformity with the front, side and rear setback 
15 
and yard requirements prescribed in the latest IRR of the National Building Code of the 
16 
Philippines (NBCP) and in the applicable LOU zoning regulations. In case of conflict between 
17 
such laws/regulations, the more stringent laws/regulations shaH prevaiL 
18 
(2) 
No part of a billboard shall be placed on, in or over any private/public property 
19 
without the written consent of the property owner or lawful possessor and without the permit of 
20 
the LOU concerned. 
21 
(3) 
A billboard mounted 011 a fire-walled property shall not utilize the air rights of a 
22 
private/public property adjoining such a fire-walled propeliy without the written consent of the 
23 
property owner or lawful possessor of the affected property and without the permit of the LOU 
24 
concerned. In case of the presence of official consent by the affected property's owner or lawful 
25 
possessor for a firewall-mounted billboard, the same may opt to share in the income that may be 
26 
derived from the billboard in exchange for the use of the air rights. In case of the lack of consent 
27 
or refusal by the affected property's owner or lawful possessor for a firewall-mounted billboard, 
28 
only a painted display may be placed on the firewall, still subject to the prior consent of the 
29 
affected property's property owner or lawful possessor and to the prior permission of the LOU 
9 


1 
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concerned. Neither a billboard mounted on the firewall nor a display painted on the firewall shall 
be allowed if there is lack of consent or official refusal/objection by the affected property's 
owner or lawful possessor. 
(4) 
No billboard shall be erected or maintained upon or above the roof of any 
building/structure if the same is in violation ofthe NBCI' and its IRR or more stringent laws. 
(5) 
No billboard shall be constructed on a property where the same can obscure or 
shade the windows or doors of adjacent buildings/structures. Billboards shall not be made of 
reflective material that can redirect unwanted light towards adjacent buildings/structures. 
4.3. Billboard Spacing and Density 
(1) 
Billboards located npon or oriented towards traffic traveling upon the same side 
II 
of a national RROW/street with a minimmn sixty meter (60m) width shall be spaced no less than 
12 
five hundred meters (500m) apart. For narrower national RROWs, the spacing may be between 
13 
two hundred meters to five hundred meters (200m- 500 m) depending on the allowed vehicle 
14 
speeds on the RROW as determined by fhe DPWH. This distance shall be measured along a 
15 
straight line between the two (2) nearest points of the billboards. The minimum spacing required, 
16 
shall not apply to two (2) displays viewed from different directions but which share a common 
17 
support structure. 
18 
(2) 
Regardless of national RROW widths, billboards shall not be located within a one 
19 
hundred meter (lOOm) radius of another billboard even if the two (2) billboards are on different 
20 
RROWs/streets. 
21 
(3) 
Billboards may only be single-faced or double-faced. In the case of double-faced 
22 
billboards, the allowed display surface area/billboard unit on each face shall not exceed twenty 
23 
eight square meters (28 sqm) per billboard unit/display/face, provided that applicable setback, 
24 
yard and building height limit (EI-IL) requirements of the NBCP and its IRR are satisfied. 
25 
(4) 
Triple, quadruple or higher multi-faced billboards shall not be allowed as these 
26 
are already configured as buildings or solid structures that unnecessarily block natural light and 
27 
ventilation and pose public safety problems .. 
28 
4.4. Display Content and Lighting 
10 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
(1) 
All display content for billboards and temporary signs must conform to the 
standards set by the Advertising Board of the Philippines and/or the government agency tasked 
or to bc tasked with reviewing and approving the display, as may be determined by law. 
(2) 
All content exhibited in a foreign language shall similarly exhibit the' 
con'esponding translation in either English or the local dialect/so 
(3) 
No billboard with any commercial content shall be permitted within all properties 
zoned as residential nor within residential subdivisions. In the case of a new residential 
subdivision, only conm1ercial billboards containing information on the residential subdivision 
shall be allowed. 
(4) 
No billboard with any commercial content shall be erected within a two hundred 
II 
and one meter (20 I m) distance of the nearest property line of declared historic or cultural sites 
12 
or of institutional sites such as schools, churches, hospitals, government buildings, public parks! 
13 
playgrounds/recreation areas, convention centers, cemeteries or any other area which must be 
14 
free of billboards with commercial content. 
IS 
16 
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19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
(5) 
Lighting: billboards shall be illuminated only by 11l1ninaries exuding a fixed/non-
oscillating/non-fluctuating amount of light that shall not produce glare or unwanted reflectance 
when directed at a display. 
4.5. Allowable Dimensionsfor Billboard Displays 
(1) 
Within two hundred one meters (201 m) ofthe edge of the national RROW/ROW, 
the maximum surface area is fifty-six square meters (56 sqm) with a maximum height of fifteen 
meters (15 m). 
(2) 
Between two hundred two meters (202 m) to four hundred four meters (404 m) of 
the edge of the national RROW/ROW, the maximum surface area is one hundred twelve square 
meters (112 sqm) with a maximum height of thirty meters (30 m). 
(3) 
Beyond four hundred four meters (404 m) of the edge of the nationill 
26 
RROW/ROW, the maximum surface area is two hundred twenty-five square meters (225 sqm) 
27 
with a maximum height of sixty meters (60 m). 
28 
(4) 
The minimum dimension of one (1) side of a minimum display 01' billboard unit 
29 
shall be one meter (1 m). 
11 


(5) 
The maximum height shall be measured from the average elevation of the surface 
2 
of the natural ground or existing sidewalk or carriageway level (whichever is higher) up to the 
3 
highest point of the billboard or any of its components. This maximum height is contingent on 
4 
the prior satisfaction of the applicable setback, yard and building height limit (BHL) 
5 
requirements ofthe NBCP and its IRR. 
6 
(6) 
All billboards shall be erected in conformity with the building height limits (BHL) 
7 
prescribed in the latest IRR of the NBCP and in the applicable LGU zoning regulations, 
8 
whichever is more stringent. 
9 
(7) 
Allowable variations from the standard measurements shall be reflected in the 
10 
IRR of this Act. 
11 
SECTION 5. Placement of Billboards with respect 10 Emergency Exits, Doors and 
12 
Windows. _ No billboard shall be erected in such a manner that any portion of its display or 
13 
supports will interfere in any way with the fi'ee use or operation of any fire escape, emergency 
14 
exit, door, window, standpipe and the like. A billboard shall not be erected, constructed and 
15 
maintained so as to obstruct any emergency exit or other openings or to prevent Ii'ee passage 
16 
from one part of a roof to any part thereof. A billboard, in any form or shape, shall not in any 
17 
mmmer be attached to a fIre escape or be so placed as to interfere with an opening required for 
18 
introducing natural light and ventilation into a building/structure. 
19 
SECTION 6. Fees and Inventory of Billboards. - As of the effective date of this Act, the 
20 
following fces for a billboard shall apply: 
21 
(1) 
A one-time billboard inventory fee of Two Thousand Five Hundred Pesos 
22 
(P2,500); 
23 
(2) 
An annual inspection fee of Seven Thousand Five Hundred Pesos (P7,500); and 
24 
(3) 
A building permit fee for a new billboard structure in accordance with the NBCP 
25 
and its IRK 
26 
The inventory fees shall be collected by the LOU for turnover to the DPWH, the lead 
27 
agency for the conduct of the inventory. The DPWH in coordination with the other agencies such 
12 


as the MMDA (for the Metropolitan Manila Area only) and with the provincial LGUs, shall use , 
2 
additional revenues to conduct a thorough countrywide inventory of all billboards, including 
3 
plotting the exact location of each sign, determining whether or not each sign has a valid pennit 
4 
from the DPWH, MMDA and any LGU agency charged with regulating billboards. 
5 
SECTION 7. Billboard Permit Required. - Except as otherwise provided in this Act, no 
6 
billboard shall hereinafter be erected, constructed, maintained or altered until a billboard permit 
7 
has been issued by the DPWH and the LGU after payment of the required fees. An application 
8 
for a billboard shall be made in writing by a duly licensed outdoor advertising company and/or 
9 
by legitimate entities with in-house outdoor advertising services, on the pennit forms furnished 
10 
by the authorities concerned and shall include such information as may be required for a 
11 
complete understanding of the proposed work. 
12 
The construction/erection permit or arumal inspection clearances issued by the LGU for a 
13 
qualified entity to erect/operate/maintain a billboard may be revoked by the DPWH if the 
14 
billboard is: 
IS 
(1) 
in violation of any provision of the NBCP and/or its latest lRR or derivative 
16 
regulations and/or poses a clear threat to public welfare, safety and health; and/or 
17 
(2) 
in violation of any provision of this Act and/or its lRR or of any provision of 
18 
subsequent derivate rules and regulations (guideline/s, standardls, manual/s of procedure and the 
19 
like) as subsequently promulgated by the DPWH. 
20 
The LGU may likewise revoke the constmctionierection permit or annual inspection' 
21 
clearances they issued if the billboard fails to comply with any tenor therof. 
22 
The permit/s or clearance/s issued by the LOU for the erection/operation/maintenance of 
23 
a billboard so revoked may be officially reinstated if the violations found have been properly 
24 
addressed/remedied. 
25 
SECTION 8. Abatement of Dangerous Billboardls. - When any billboard is found or 
26 
declared to be dangerous or ruinous, the LGU shall order its repair or demolition at the expense 
27 
of the Owner, depending upon the degree of danger to life, health or safety. This is without 
13 


prejudice to further action that may be taken under the provisions of the Ne,¥ Civil Code or the 
2 
NBCP and its lRR. 
3 
To facilitate the identification of the Owner, the necessary contact information shall be 
4 
exhibited on the right lower corner of a billboard, permanently attached to its support structure. 
5 
SECTION 9. Regulated Areas. No billboard shall be erected within the Regulated Areas. 
6 
The following types of billboards that may be permitted to be erected within the Regulated 
7 
Areas, subject to other requirements as provided in this Act: 
8 
(1) 
Class I-Official billboards. Directional or other official billboards erected and 
9 
maintained by public officers or agencies pursuant to and in accordance witb direction or 
10 
authorization contained in applicable law/s for the purpose of carrying out an official duty or 
II 
responsibility. 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
(2) 
Class 2-0n-premise billboards. Billboards not prohibited by law, which are 
consistent with the applicable provisions of this Act and which advertise thc sale or lease of, or 
activities being conducted upon, the real property where the signs are located. Not more than one 
such billboard advertising the sale or lease of the same property may be permitted under this 
class in such manner as to be visible to traffic proceeding in anyone direction on anyone 
national RROW/ROW. Not more than one such billboard, visible to traffic proceeding in anyone 
direction on anyone national RROW/ROW and advertising activities being conducted upon the 
real property where the billboard is located, may be permitted under this class more than 15.3 
meters from the advertised activity. 
(3) 
Class 3-Billboards within 19.31 kilometers direct/radial distance of advertised 
activities. Billboards not prohibited by law, which are consistent with the applicable provisions 
of this Act and which advertise activities being conducted within 19.31 kilometers direct/radial 
distance of such billboards. 
(4) 
Class 4-Billboards in the specific interest of the traveling public. Billboards 
26 
authorized to be erected or maintained by law, which are consistent with the applicable 
27 
provisions of this Act and which are designed to give information in the specific interest of the 
28 
traveling public. 
14 


I 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
(5) 
Class 5-Small Billboard" All other billboards the dimensions of which do not 
exceed 56 sqm in surface area, 
SECTION 10, Official Signs Exempted. - The following official signs are exempt from 
the restrictions of this Act that may also apply to signs: 
(1) 
Official highway route number signs, street name signs, directional, or other 
official government signs; 
(2) 
Directional, information or public service signs, such as those advertising 
availability of restrooms, telephone or similar public conveniences; 
(3) 
(4) 
Official traffic signs, signals, devices and the like; and 
Official signs for memorial or historical places, 
11 
SECTION 11, Possible Exemption jor Billboards Only Above the Sidewalk Portion of the 
12 
RROW. - DPWH and LGU may, at their discretion, issue permits for the erection of billboards, 
13 
whereby the permitted billboard is made to effectively contribute to positive urban design! 
14 
redevelopment, only above the sidewalk portion of the RROW if they comply with the following 
15 
requirements: 
16 
(1) 
If the billboard and its cantilevered support structure is used to effectively hold in \ 
17 
place and disguise/conceal overhead electrical, telephone, cable TV and similar utility lines that 
18 
hover above the sidewalk and that may pose possible danger to pedestrians; provided that such 
19 
utility lines are also effectively concealed from the view of persons within a property/building or 
20 
structure without unduly compromising considerations of natural light and ventilation; 
21 
(2) 
If the billboard and its cantilevered support structure is also used to effectively 
22 
provide a shelter from the elements for the pedestrians passing underneath; as such, the billboard 
23 
serves as a component of a virtual covered sidewalk system; 
24 
(3) 
If the billboard to cover the utility lines is officially permitted by the DPWH and 
25 
the MMDA ([or the Metropolitan Manila Area) and the DILG (for areas outside the Metropolitan 
26 
Manila Area); and 
15 


1 
(4) 
if the allowed billboard does not exceed 1.2 meters in height and provides a clear 
2 
vertical distance of at least 4 meters for pedestrians passing undemeath. 
3 
SECTION 12. Assisting Entities. - In compiling the billboard inventory and in the 
4 
crafting of the IRR of this Act, the DPWH as the lead agency that shall promulgate the IRR, shall 
5 
collaborate with other national agencies, the concerned LGUs, the MMDA, billboard permit 
6 
holders, non-governmental organizations and citizens' groups. 
7 
SECTION 13. National Organization of Billboard Constructors. -
A national 
8 
organization of Billboard Constructors to be accredited by the DPWH shall be registered with the 
9 
Securities and Exchange Commission, as a non-profit, non-stock corporation that shall self-
10 
regulate the billboard industry in accord with this Act. Membership in the said organization shall 
11 
be required for all billboard constructors. 
12 
All companies/entities desiring to engage 1ll the construction/erection, alteration and 
13 
maintenance of billboards must be members in good standing of any local, national or 
14 
international outdoor advertising association and must abide by the Code of Ethics and 
IS 
Guidelines that may be thereafter adopted by such associations. 
16 
SECTION 14. Re'ponsible State-Regulated Professional. - Since billboards affect the 
17 
natural and built environments for which the registered and licensed Architects and/or 
18 
Environmental Planners are the primarily responsible state-regulated professionals, it shall be 
19 
unlawful for any natural or juridical person to erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, 
20 
improve, remove, convert, use or maintain any billboard or cause the same to be erected unless 
21 
the signature and dry seal of a registered and licensed Architect or Environmental Planner 
22 
appears on the construction/erection plans and specifications of the billboard. The involvement 
23 
of such a professional shall ensure that all laws and regulations pertaining to the placement/ 
24 
silting, erection and maintenance of billboards are fully enforced. 
16 


SECTION 1 S. Penal Clause. - It shall be unlawful for any natural or juridical person to 
2 
erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert, use or maintain any 
3 
billboard or cause the same to be erected contrary to or in violation of any provision of this Act. 
4 
Any individual or firm, whether in the private or public sector, who shall violate any of 
5 
the provisions of this Act and/or commit any act hereby declared to be unlawful shall, upon 
6 
conviction, be punished by a fine not less than thrice (3x) amount of the billboard inclnding its 
7 
support structure but not more than ten times (J Ox) the amount of said billboard including its 
8 
support structllre or by imprisonment of not less than one (l) year but not more than five (5) 
9 
years, or both, at the discretion of the court. In case of a firm, partnership, corporation or 
10 
association, whether private or public, the penalty shall be imposed upon its official responsible 
11 
for such violation and in case the guilty party is an alien, he/she shall immediately be deported 
12 
after payment of the fine and/or service of his/ her sentence. 
13 
No officer or employee of this Republic, chartered cities, provinces, municipalities and 
14 
barangays, now or hereafter charged with the enforcement of laws, ordinances or regulations 
15 
relating to the construction, erection or alteration of billboards, shall accept Or approve any plans, \ 
16 
designs or specifications which have not been prepared and submitted in full accord with all the 
17 
provisions of this Act. Failmc to comply with this provision shall be considered a corrupt 
18 
practice under RA No. 3019, otherwise known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. 
19 
The penalties provided herein shall be notwithstanding any other criminal, civil and 
20 
administrative liabilities as maybe provided by law. 
21 
SECTION 16. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - Within ninety (90) days after 
22 
the effectivity of this Act, the DPWI-I, in full consultation with the Professional Regulatory 
23 
Boards (PRBs) or Architecture and Environmental Plmming under the PRe, fwd with the PRC-
24 
Accredited Professional Organizations (APOs) of Architects and Environmental Planners, and in 
25 
coordination with other agencies of the national and local governments, shall adopt and 
26 
promulgate such rules and regulations, to carry out the provisions of this Act and which shall be 
27 
effective fifteen (15) days following their publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) major 
17 


daily newspapers of general circulation. An updating/amendment of the IRR shall be undertaken 
2 
by the DPWH every five (5) years, including the provision/s on the permit and related fees. 
3 
The IRR of this Act, to specifically include the proper spacing, density, sizing and 
4 
proportioning/configuration and format of billboards within RROWs/ streets as partly' 
5 
determined by allowed vehicle speeds, ROWs and legal easements, shall be drafted by the 
6 
DPWH, DOTC and the MMDA for the Metropolitan Manila Area (MMA) and by the DPWH, 
7 
the DOTC, D1LG and the provincial LGUs for all other areas outside the MMA. The concerned 
8 
private sector entities shall assist the said agencies in completing their tasks. 
9 
Depending on future need, the DPWH, again in full consultation with the PRBs of 
10 
Architecture and Environmental Planning under the PRC, and with the APOs of Architects and 
II 
Environmental Planners, shall also prepare and promulgate the necessary guidelines, standards 
12 
and manuals of procedure in accordance with the IRR of this Act. 
13 
SECTION 17. Enforcement of the Act. - It shall be the primary duty of the DPWH, in 
14 
collaboration with the PRBs of Architecture and Environmental Planning, and the LGUs to 
15 
effectively enforce the provisions of this Act. All duly constituted law enforcement agencies and 
16 
officers of national, provincial, city or municipal government or of any political subdivision 
17 
thereof, shall, upon the call or request of the DPWH, render unqualified/unconditional assistance 
18 
in enforcing the provisions of this Act and to prosecute any person violating the provisions of the 
19 
same. The Secretary of Justice or his duly designated representative shall act as legal adviser to 
20 
the DPWH and shall render legal assistance as may be necessary in carrying out the provisions of 
21 
this Act. 
22 
SECTION 18. Appropriations. -The amount necessary for the initial implementation of 
23 
this Act shall be charged against the appropriations of the Department of Education under the 
24 
current General Appropriations Act. Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary for its full 
25 
implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act as a distinct and 
26 
separate item. 
18 


SECTION 19. Separability Clause. - If any provisions or part hereof is invalid or 
2 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
3 
valid and subsisting. 
4 
SECTION 20. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
5 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
6 
with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
7 
SECTION 21. Transitory Clause and Non-Conforming Billboards. - Within five (5) years 
8 
from the date of the effectivity of this Act, any non-conforming billboard, including those 
9 
designed/constructed in full compliance with the NBCP and its IRR or in compliance with LOU 
10 
building codes or ordinances existing as of the approval of this Act shall be dismantled, removed 
II 
or altered to conform to the provisions ofthis Act. The cost of dismantling, removal or alteration 
12 
shall be charged to the Owner of the non-complying billboard. The Owners of such altered 
13 
billboards shall thereafter secure a certificate of compliance and thereafter secure the required 
14 
permits and pay the necessary fees. 
15 
Existing billboards erected without permits before enactment of this Act shalI be given 
16 
written notice to secure a permit am! conform to the new requirements within ninety (90) days 
17 
from receipt of the notice. For non-complying Owners, the LOU shall dismantle such billboards 
18 
at the expense of th" Owner. 
19 
All billboards that are erected in the mmmer, position or places other than those named/ 
20 
described herein, or are erecled, displayed or maintained without the permit thereon having been 
21 
paid as hereinafter provided or are declared by the appropriate authorities as unaesthetic/ 
22 
unsightly or unsafe or otherwise non-complying with this Act, shall be subject to summary 
23 
removal at the expense ofthe Owner, upon order of the DPWH or the LOD. 
24 
SECTION 22. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
25 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
19