Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. HARRIS CHRISTOPHER M. ONGCHUAN 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
In 2019, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services 
Administration (PAGASA) named 21 tropical cyclones that entered the Philippine 
Area of Responsibility (PAR), since the Philippines is situated in the center of the 
Typhoon Belt. This figure is around the average number of cyclones entering the PAR 
annually for the years of 1980 to 2010. 
In order to boost the nation’s resilience during these natural disasters, hazards 
such as commercial billboards need to be removed before they cause further 
infrastructure damage and become a hindrance to first responders. 
This representation seeks to prohibit the display of commercial billboards and 
advertising materials within twelve (12) hours from an official announcement and/or 
release of a Typhoon Signal No. 1 advisory. 
In the 18th Congress, this bill was filed by Rep. Alfred Vargas and Rep. 
Eduardo “Bro. Eddie” Villanueva, approved by the House of Representatives on third 
reading, and was transmitted to the Senate. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of the bill is earnestly sought. 
 HARRIS CHRISTOPHER M. ONGCHUAN 
August 30, 2022
8:02 am
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 Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _________ 
Introduced by Representative 
HARRIS CHRISTOPHER M. ONGCHUAN 
AN ACT 
PROHIBITING THE ACTIVE USE AND DISPLAY OF COMMERCIAL 
BILLBOARDS DURING TYPHOONS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Bawal Billboard Tuwing 
Bagyo Act”. 
SEC. 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 motorists and pedestrians. 
SEC. 3. Prohibition on the Active Use of Billboards During Typhoons. — All advertising 
materials shall be automatically taken down by the billboard operator within twelve 
(12) hours from an official announcement and/or release of a Typhoon Signal No. 1
bulletin or any other significant weather disturbance from the Philippine
Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
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.
SEC. 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 
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Thousand Pesos (Php 300,000), or imprisoned of not less than six (6) months but not 
more than one (1) year, upon the discretion of the court.  
SEC. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The Department of Public Works and 
Highways (DPWH), in consultation with the Metro Manila Development Authority 
(MMDA), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), 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.  
SEC. 6. Separability Clause. — If any part or provision of this Act shall be held 
unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions thereof which are not affected shall 
continue to be in full force and effect. 
SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. — All laws, rules, and regulations, presidential decrees, 
letters of instruction and other presidential issuances which are incompatible or 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified 
accordingly. 
SEC. 7. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
the Official Gazette or in at least one (1) newspaper of general circulation, whichever 
comes earlier.  
 
Approved.