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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
7 JjiJi.; -6 ;' 
"I ' > '  
") .._ u 
S.B. sENYa 
No. 
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 xxx 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 may be found at densities of from 5 to 12 billboards per kilometer. 
Apparently the advertisers believe that the larger and more overwhelming the size 
of the billboard, the better it would be for promoting their products. While that may 
benefit the advertisers, the billboards foisted on the hapless commuters actually degrade 
the quality of the streetscape experience. The road right-of-way (RROW, commonly 
termed the "street") is public domain and for the general public to use, enjoy, and 
experience. Instead, parts of the RROWI street 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. Non-mobile 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 
government units (LGUs) 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 
streetscape 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 a definite need to restore order in our streets and in our properties and we can 
start by correcting mistakes spawned by the liberal interpretations on the intent of laws on 
buildings and structures as these apply to billboards. 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
) 
7 
RUG -6 
P3:7h 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
REGULATING THE PLACEMENT OF NON-MOBILE BILLBOARDS 
INCLUDING THEIR SUPPORT STRUCTURES 
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 “Anti-Billboard Blight Act of 
2007.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the declared policy of the State to ensure an 
improved quality of life for all through continuing efforts to improve the naturalhilt and 
physical/non-physical environments. It is also the policy of the State to preserve public spaces as 
public domain and not to allow the use of such spaces for private enjoyment nor benefit, 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the terms 
(1) 
“Air Right” means the right to physically develop and subsequently 
benefit or profit from the continued use of the air space above the road 
right-of-way (RROW) or other rights-of-way (ROWs) or legal 
easements or private/ public property outside or along such ROWS or 
easements, subject to the payment of lease to the appropriate party for 
availing of such rights. The upper limit of the air rights is the airways 
navigational path such as the clearance limits of aerodrome and flight 
patterns. 
“Alignments” are the surface areas/ spaces traversed by a RROWs, 
similar ROWs, legal easements or similar public spaces, which form 
(2) 
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part of the public domain and are therefore disallowed sites for non- 
mobile billboards. 
“Accredited Professional Organization (APO)” is a non-governmental 
organization (NGO) of regulated development professionals who deal 
purely with the natural and built environments, duly accredited by the 
Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). 
“Architect” is a regulated development professional who is a holder of 
a Certificate of Registration or of a Special/Temporary Permit to 
Practice the profession of architecture in the Philippines and of a 
license in the foiin of a professional identification (ID) card duly 
issued by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) in full 
accordance with R.A. 9266, its IRR and derivative regulations. 
“bavangay” means the basic government unit distinct from the LGU. 
“Billboard” means an attention-getting device consisting of a support 
structure, a display or message area, a lighting system and related 
components. The term also refers to all types of identification, 
description, illustration, images, pictures, display or device which is 
affixed to or represented directly or indirectly upon a portion of a 
building! structure, support structure or land and which directs 
attention to a product, place, activity, person, institution, business, idea 
or belief. The term shall be generic and shall collectively refer to but 
not be limited to multi-media or ti-vision billboards, neon or other 
illuminated signs, painted signs and the like. 
“Billboard Unit” or “BU” shall refer to one (1.0) display with a total 
surface area of anywhere between seven point five square meters (7.5 
sqm) minimum to two hundred twenty five square meters (225.0 sqm) 
maximum. 
“Building Height Limit or BHL” means the maximum height to be 
allowed 
for 
a 
buildinglstructure based 
on their 
proposed 
(3) 
(4) 
(5) 
(6) 
(7) 
(8) 
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use/occupancy. The BHL is generally measured &om the established 
grade line to the topmost portion of such a building/ structure, 
inclusive of a non-mobile billboard mounted on top of such a 
building‘structure. 
“Cantilevered Support Structure” means a support structure that is not 
directly planted on the ground or any portion of the RROW, similar 
ROWS or legal easement; such a structure may rest on a portion of a 
building or another support structure not originally planned/ designed 
to support a billboard; a cantilevered structure is necessary so that the 
effective width of the sidewalk or similar components of the RROW 
are neither compromised nor lessened; 
(9) 
(10) “Carriageway” or “Roadway” means the portion or component of the 
RROW on which land-based transportation conveyances such as motor 
vehicles are allowed to pass or park. For RRROWs, the term may be 
“Railway” and for WROWs, the applicable term may be “Waterway” 
or “Vessel-way”. 
(11) “Content” means the message and image components of a display 
which may be advertising, commercial, directional or general public 
information in intent. 
(12) “Display” means the material or device mounted on the non-mobile 
billboard support structure together with its content/ message. A 
display surface area in excess of one square meter (1.0 sqm), with a 
least dimension of one meter (1.0 m). shall be considered part of a 
non-mobile billboard. 
(13) “DILG” means the Department of Interior and Local Government. 
(14) “DOTC” 
means 
the 
Department 
of 
Transportation 
and 
Communication. 
(15) “DPWH” means the Department of Public Works and Highways. 
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(16) “Environmental Planner” is a regulated development professional who 
is a holder of a Certificate of Registration or of a Special/Temporary 
Permit to Practice the profession of architecture in the Philippines and 
of a license in the form of a professional identification (ID) card duly 
issued by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) in full 
accordance with P.D. 1308, its R R  and derivative regulations. 
(17) “Firewall” means a reinforced masonry or reinforced concrete 
separator with the appropriate fire-resistive rating and which shall be 
positioned between buildings/ structures to maintain the fire integrity 
of each building/ structure. Firewalls that are erected along and/or 
above property lines utilize a substantial portion of the maximum 
development potential of a property and shall therefore have no 
openings except for the permitted vent wells specified under the 
National Building Code (Nl3C) and its Implementing Rules and 
Regulations (IRR). Firewalls are not envisioned as a mounting surface 
for billboards and other types of display under the NBC and its IRR as 
such billboards/ displays also constitute a fire and safety hazard to an 
adjoining property. 
(18) “Intersections” arc common surface areas or spaces shared by two (2) 
or more RROWs, similar ROWS or legal easements or a mix of such 
public spaces, which form part of the public domain and are therefore 
disallowed sites for non-mobile billboards. 
(19) “IRR” means the Implementiiig Rules and Regulations. 
(20) “Legal Easement” means a public open space mandated under law 
that must be absolutely free of all forms of physical obstructions that 
can negatively affect natural light and ventilation within such a space 
or that can impede access to or the full recreational use of such a space 
by the general public. Legal easements also refer to the public area that 
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may lie between the legally usable portions of a privateipublic 
property and natural or built bodies of water or waterways. 
(21) “Lighting System” means the luminaries/ complete lighting units, 
power source and connections, controls and all support structures/ 
devices that ensure the continuous illumination of a display. 
(22) “LGU” means the Local Government Unit (LGU). 
(23) “Minimum Billboard Unit” shall refer to one (1.0) display with a 
maximum total surface area of seven point five square meters (7.50 
sqrn), a multiple of the 225.0 sqm Maximum Billboard Unit. It shall 
have a least dimension of one meter (1.0 m). 
(24) “Maximum Billboard Unit” shall refer to one (1.0) display with a 
maximum total surface area of two hundred twenty five square meters 
(225.0 sqm). 
(25) “MMDA” means the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority. 
(26) “NBC” means the National Building Code of 1977, otherwise known 
as Presidential Decree or PD 1096 or its future iterations. 
(27) “Non-Conforming Billboard” means any non-mobile billboard 
lawfully constructed prior to the enactment of this Act, but which fails 
to conform to its provisions. 
(28) “Non-Mobile Billboard” means a billboard positioned at a fixed 
location, usually along a road right-of-way (RROW), where it can be 
readily and continuously viewed by the passing public. 
(29) “Official Signs” mean directional or information-conveying signs, in 
whatever form allowed under the IRR of this Act, that are officially 
issued and erected by or through the national or local government for 
the purpose of public service. 
(30) “Professional Regulation Commission” is the entity that administers 
the regulated professions in the Philippines, including those that deal 
with the natural and built environments, in hll accordance with R.A. 
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No. 8981 (The PRC Modernization Act of 2000), its IRR and 
derivative regulations. 
(3 1) “Professional Regulatory Boards (PRBs)” are the regulatory entities 
overseeing the practice of regulated professionals under the 
Professional Regulation Commission (F‘RC) e.g. the PRB of 
Architecture, the PRB of Environmental Planning. 
(32) “Residual Areas” are spaces that may fall outside the alignments or 
intersections of two (2) or more RROWs, similar ROWS or legal 
easements or a mix of such public spaces, which still form part of the 
public domain and are therefore disallowed sites for non-mobile 
billboards. 
(33) “ROW means the Right-of-way, including the airspace above the 
ROW. 
(34) “RROW’ or “Road-Right-of-way” or “Street” means a public open 
space for the continuous flow of pedestrian and vehicular traffic, 
including the air space above the RROW, that must be free of all forms 
of prohibited physical obstructions. The RROW or street is the surface 
area lying between two (2) or more parallel properties and its width is 
horizontally measured from opposite property lines. 
(35) “RRROW means the Railroad-Right-of-way consisting of the 
railway/ tramway/ tracks on which the trains actually pass, the buffer 
areas on either side of the railway for operational safety and fixed 
facilities for passenger exchanges, inclusive of the airspace above the 
m o w .  
(36) “Support Structure” means the rigid framework on which the display 
or attention-catching device of a non-mobile billboard shall be 
mounted. The foundation and superstructure for part of the support 
structure. 
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(37) “Property Line” means the imaginary or defined line or a set of such 
interconnected lines and denoting the limits of a property. 
(38) “Setback” means a one (1)-dimensional quantity denoting the level 
horizontal distance measured at a ninety degree angle (90”) from the 
line formed by the outermost face of a building structure or billboard 
support structure to a property line, whereby both lines run parallel to 
each other. 
(39) “Sidewalk” means the portion on each side of the road right-of-way 
(RROW) for the exclusive use of pedestrians and the disabled who are 
in transit. 
(40) “Scenic Vista” shall refer to a naturally occurring or a good 
combination of natural and man-made features in the viewable 
landscape and which offers the viewer a refreshing visual experience 
or respite. 
(41) “Temporary Sign” means a sign made of fabric/ cloth, vinyl/ plastic or 
similar light and/or combustible material, with or without frame i.e., 
streamers, bills, posters and the like that are installed within or outside 
a ROW for display/public viewing for a limited period of time, subject 
to the issuance of the required permit/s. 
(42) “UROW’ means the Utility Right-of-way means the area on which 
public utility lines are allowed to pass, including buffer/ safety zones, 
service/ maintenance areas and the airspace above the UROW. 
(43) “View Corridor” means the visually unobstructed width, depth and 
height of all available sight lines running through and along RROWs, 
legal easements and similar ROWS, open spaces within lots including 
yards and courts or through and along designated public spaces 
including recreational areas. View corridor also means specific ranges 
of sight lines from a building or structure to a specific natural or man- 
built object and/ or development considered of beauty or value. 
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(44) “WROW’ means the Water Right-of-way found in inland waterways 
such as rivers, streams, lakes, canals and the like and consisting of the 
waterway/ vessel-way on which boats/ ships/ barges pass, the 
embankments and portions of the shore areas used to access the 
waterway1 vessel-way, including the airspace above the WROW. 
(45) “Yard” means a two (2)-dimensional space consisting of the vacant 
land area between the outermost portion of a non-mobile billboard 
including its support structure and the property lines. 
SECTION 4. Regulation of Non-Mobile Billboards. - Any non-mobile billboard erected, 
modified, retrofitted, rehabilitated or otherwise altered and thereafter exhibited after the effective 
date of this Act shall comply with the following requirements: 
4.1. Position Along RRO Ws, RO Ws and Legal Easements 
(1) No billboard shall be located in a position that obstructs or obscures the 
view of vehicular or pedestrian traffic in such a manner as to endanger 
their safe movement thereof. Non-mobile billboards shall not be erected 
in a manner that can conhse or obstruct the view or interpretation of any 
official traffic sign, signal or device. 
(2) The outermost portion or projection of a non-mobile billboard or its 
support structure or its lighting system shall be located at least five 
meters (5.0m) from the outermost line of the street or RROW, RRROW, 
UROW, WROW, legal easement and the like. 
(3) Billboards shall not be erected on any structure or portion thereof found 
within the RROW, RRROW, UROW, WROW, legal easement and the 
like. The air rights over such ROWS and legal easements shall not be 
availed of for the purpose of erecting non-mobile billboards. 
(4) Temporary signs, regardless of material, intended use and size, including 
election-related signs or signs showing the names and/or likeness of 
elective/ appointed officials, shall not be strung or installed over or 
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across a RROW, RRROW, UROW, WROW, legal easement and the 
like, unless otherwise permitted by the barangay or LGU concerned but 
in no case shall the period of display exceed seven (7) calendar days. 
The barangay or LGU must thereafter remove said temporary sign/s. 
(5) Reckoned from the carriageway portion of the RROW, all displays shall 
have a minimum clear/ unobstructed viewing distance of two hundred 
meters (200.0m) within the Metropolitan Manila Area and three hundred 
meters (300) outside Metro Manila. 
(6) No billboard shall be located within two hundred meters (200.0m) of the 
outermost portion of all interchanges or of the outermost portion of the 
right-of-way (ROW) of all underpasses, overpasses, bridges, tunnels, 
station/ terminal/ inter-modal/ multi-modal structures and the like or 
from the center of an intersection. For RROW widths of forty meters 
(40.0m) wide or wider, a distance of four hundred meters (400.0m) shall 
apply. 
(7) No part of a non-mobile billboard including its support structure shall be 
placed on, in or over any public property/ domain, including public/ 
transportatiodutility ROWs or utility/drainage easements or upon 
telephondutility poles or upon natural features such as trees, rocks and 
the like. In particular, non-mobile billboards shall not be erected or 
maintained or violate the air rights above a carriageway/ roadway, 
railway or waterway/ vessel-way. 
(8) Non-mobile billboards shall not be erected at residual areas at or along 
intersections of RROWs, RRROWs, ROWs and legal easements or at 
or along intersections of such public spaces. 
(9) Non-mobile billboards that may obscure or obstruct the view of 
vehicular or pedestrian traffic or that may interfere, imitate, resemble 
or be confused with official traffic signs, signals or devices shall not 
be permitted. No billboard that prevents a clear and unobstructed view 
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of official traffic signs in approaching or merging traffic shall be 
permitted. , 
(1 1) No billboard that may impair any scenic vista or view comdor fiom 
the MOW/ legal easement or from a building/ structure along such 
MOW/ legal easement shall be permitted. 
4.2. Position within Private Property or Public Property Outside RROWs/ ROWS/ 
Legal Easements 
(1) All non-mobile billboards shall be erected in conformity with the front, 
side and rear setback and yard requirements prescribed in the latest IRR 
of the National Building Code of the Philippines (NEKP) and in the 
applicable LGU zoning regulations. In case of conflict between such 
laws/ regulations, the provisions of the NBCP shall generally prevail. 
However, if the provisions under the LGU ordinances are more stringent 
than the NBCP, then the LGU ordinance shall prevail. 
(2) No part of a non-mobile billboard shall be placed on, in or over any 
private/ public property without the written consent of the property 
owner or lawful possessor and without the permit of the buranguy or 
LGU concerned. 
(3) A non-mobile billboard mounted on a fire-walled property shall not 
utilize the air rights of a private/ public property adjoining such a fire- 
walled property without the written consent of the property owner or 
lawful possessor of the affected property and without the permit of the 
barangay or LGU concerned. In case of the presence of official 
consent by the affected property’s owner or lawful possessor for a 
firewall-mounted non-mobile billboard, the same may opt to share in 
the income that may be derived from the billboard in exchange for the 
use of the air rights. In case of the lack of consent or refusal by the 
affected property’s owner or lawful possessor for a firewall-mounted 
non-mobile billboard, only a painted display may be placed 011 the 
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firewall, still subject to the prior consent of the affected property’s 
property owner or lawhl possessor and to the prior permission of the 
barangay or LGU concerned. Neither a non-mobile 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. 
(3) No billboard shall be erected or maintained upon or above the roof of 
any building/ structure if the same is in violation of the National 
Building Code and its IRR or more stringent laws. 
(4) No billboard shall be constructed on a property where the same can 
obscure or shade the windows or doors of adjacent buildings/ structures. 
Non-mobile billboards shall not be made of reflective material that can 
redirect unwanted light towards adjacent buildings/ structures. 
4.3. Billboard Spacing and Density 
(1) Non-mobile billboards located upon or oriented towards traffic 
traveling upon the same side of a RROW/ street with a minimum sixty 
meter (60.0 m) width shall be spaced no less than five hundred meters 
(500.0 m) apart. For narrower RROWs, the spacing may be between 
two hundred meters to five hundred meters (200.0 m - 500.0 m) 
depending on the allowed vehicle speeds on the M O W  as determined 
by the DPWH. This distance shall be measured along a straight line 
between the two (2.0) nearest points of the billboards. The minimum 
spacing required shall not apply to two (2.0) displays viewed from 
different directions but which share a common support structure. 
(2) Regardless of RROW widths, non-mobile billboards shall not be 
located within a two hundred meter (200.0 m) radius of another 
billboard even if the two (2.0) billboards are on different RROWs/ 
streets. 


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(3) Non-mobile billboards may only be single-faced or double-faced. In the 
case of a double-faced billboard, the allowed display surface area/ 
billboard unit on each face shall not exceed two hundred twenty five 
square meters (225.0 sqm) per billboard unit/ display/ face, provided that 
applicable setback, yard and building height limit (BHL) requirements 
of the National Building Code and its IRR are satisfied. 
(4) Triple, quadruple or higher multi-faced billboards shall not be allowed 
as these are already configured as buildings or solid structures that 
unnecessarily block natural light and ventilation and pose public safety 
problems. 
4.4. Display Content and Lighting 
(1) All display content for non-mobile billboards and temporary signs must 
confonn to the standards set by the Advertising Board of the Philippines 
and/or the government agency tasked or to be tasked with reviewing and 
approving the display. 
(2) All content exhibited in a foreign language shall similarly exhibit the 
corresponding translation in either English or the local dialect/s. 
(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 residentid subdivision, only commercial billboards 
containing information on the residential subdivision shall be allowed. 
(4) No billboard with any commercial content shall be erected within a two 
hundred meter (200.0 m) distance of the nearest property line of 
declared historic or cultural sites or of institutional sites such as schools, 
churches, hospitals, government buildings, public parks/ playgrounds/ 
recreation areas, convention centers, cemeteries or any other area which 
must be free of non-mobile billboards with commercial content. 
(5) Lighting: Non-mobile billboards shall be illuminated only by luminaries 
exuding a fixed/ non-oscillating/ non-fluctuating amount of light that 
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display. 
4.5. Allowable Dimensionsfor Non-Mobile Billboard Displays 
(1) A billboard unit shall have a surface or display area of between seven 
point five (7.5) sqm minimum and two hundred twenty five (225.0) sqm 
maximum. 
(2) The minimum dimension of one (1.0) side of a minimum display or 
billboard unit shall be one meter (1.0 m). 
(3) The maximum dimension of one (1.0) side of a maximum display or 
billboard unit shall be eleven meters (11.0 m), subject to compliance 
with the billboard height limitation under this Act. 
(4) No billboard shall exceed fifteen (15.0 m) in height, measured from the 
average elevation of the surface of the natural ground or existing 
sidewalk or carriageway level (whichever is higher) up to the highest 
point of the non-mobile billboard or any of its components. This 
maximum height is contingent on the prior satisfaction of the applicable 
setback, yard and building height limit (BHL) requirements of the 
National Building Code and its IRR. 
(5) All non-mobile billboards shall be erected in conformity with the 
building height limits (BHL) prescribed in the latest IRR of the National 
Building Code (NBC) and in the applicable LGU zoning regulations. 
(6) Allowable variations from the standard measurements shall be reflected 
in the IRR of this Act. 
SECTION 5. Placement of Billboards with respect to Emergency Exits, Doors and 
Windows. - No billboard shall be erected in such a manner that any portion of its display or 
supports will interfere in any way with the free use or operation of any fire escape, emergency 
exit, door, window, standpipe and the like. A non-mobile billboard shall not be erected, 
constructed and maintained so as to obstruct any emergency exit or other openings or to prevent 
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free passage from one part of a roof to any part thereof. A non-mobile billboard in any form or 
shape shall not in any manner be attached to a fire escape or be so placed as to interfere with an 
opening required for introducing natural light and ventilation into a building/ structure. 
SECTION 6. Fees and Inventoly of Billboards. - As of the effective date of this Act, the 
following fees for a non-mobile billboard shall apply: 
1) a one-time billboard inventory fee of Two Thousand Five Hundred 
Pesos (P2,500.00); 
2) an annual inspection fee of Seven Thousand Five Hundred Pesos 
(P7,500.00); and 
3) a building permit fee for a new non-mobile billboard structure in 
accordance with the National Building Code and its IRR. 
The inventory fees shall be collected by the LGU for turnover to the DPWH, the lead 
agency for the conduct of the inventory. The DPWH in coordination with the other agencies such 
as the MMDA (for the Metropolitan Manila Area only) and with the provincial LGUs, shall use 
additional revenues to conduct a thorough countrywide inventory of all non-mobile billboards, 
including plotting the exact location of each sign, determining whether or not each sign has a 
valid permit from the DPWH, MMDA and any LGU agency charged with regulating billboards. 
SECTION I :  Nan-Mobile Billboard Permit Required. - Except as otherwise provided in 
this Act, no billboard shall hereinafter be erected, constructed, maintained or altered until a 
billboard permit has been issued by the DPWH and the LGU after payment of the required fees. 
An application for a non-mobile billboard shall be made in writing by a duly licensed outdoor 
advertising company and/or by legitimate entities with in-house outdoor advertising services, on 
the pennit forms furnished by the authorities concerned and shall include such information as 
may be required for a complete understanding of the proposed work. 
The construction/ erection permit or annual inspection clearances issued by the LGU for 
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a qualified entity to erect/ operate/ maintain a non-mobile billboard may be revoked by the 
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DPWH and the MMDA (for the Metropolitan Manila Area) and by the DPWH and the DILG 
(for all other areas) if the non-mobile billboard is: 
a. in violation of any provision of the National Building Code and/or its 
latest IRR andlor poses a clear threat to public welfare, safety and 
health; and/ or 
b. in violation of any provision of this Act and/or its IRR or of any 
provision of subsequent derivate rules and regulations (guidelineis, 
standard/s, manualls of procedure and the like) as subsequently 
promulgated by the DPWH. 
The peimit/s or clearancds issued by the LGU for the erection/ operation/ maintenance of 
a non-mobile billboard as revoked by the DPWH may be officially reinstated by the DPWH and 
the MMDA (for the Metropolitan Manila Area) and by the DPWH and the DILG (for all other 
areas) if the violations found have been properly addressed remedied. 
SECTION 8. Abatement of Dangerous Billboard/s. - When any non-mobile billboard is 
found or declared to be dangerous or ruinous, the Building Official shall order its repair or 
demolition at the expense of the Owner, depending upon the degree of danger to life, health or 
safety. This is without prejudice to further action that may be taken under the provisions of the 
New Civil Code or the National Building Code and its IRR. 
To facilitate the identification of the Owner, the necessary contact information shall be 
exhibited on the right lower corner of a non-mobile billboard, permanently attached to its support 
structure. 
SECTION 9. Oflcial 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. Official traffic signs, signals, devices and the like; and 
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SECTION 10. Possible Exemption for Non-Mobile Billboards Only Above the Sidewalk 
Portion of the RROW - Satisfaction of the following conditions, whereby the permitted non- 
mobile billboard is made to effectively contribute to positive urban design/ redevelopment, may 
allow the placement or erection of non-mobile billboards but only above the sidewalk portion of 
the RROW: 
1. if the billboard and its cantilevered support structure is used to effectively 
hold in place and disguise/ conceal overhead electrical, telephone, cable TV 
and similar utility lines that hover above the sidewalk and that may pose 
possible danger to pedestrians; provided that such utility lines are also 
effectively concealed from the view of persons within a property/ building or 
structure without unduly compromising considerations of natural light and 
ventilation; 
2. if the billboard and its cantilevered support structure is also used to effectively 
provide a shelter from the elements for the pedestrians passing underneath; as 
such, the billboard serves as a component of a virtual covered sidewalk 
system; 
3. if the non-mobile billboard to cover the utility lines is officially permitted by 
the DPWH and the MMDA (for the Metropolitan Manila Area) and the DILG 
(for areas outside the Metropolitan Manila Area); and 
4. if the allowed non-mobile billboard does not exceed 1.2 meters in height and 
provides a clear vertical distance of at least 4.0 meters for pedestrians passing 
underneath. 
SECTION 11. Assisting Entities. - In compiling the billboard  inventory and in the 
crafting of the IRR of this Act, the DPWH as the lead agency that shall promulgate the IRR, shall 
collaborate with other national agencies, the concerned LGUs, the MMDA, billboard permit 
holders, non-governmental organizations and citizens’ groups. 
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SECTION 12. National Organization of Non-Mobile Billboard Constructors. - A national 
organization of Non-Mobile Billboard Constructors to be accredited by the DPWH, shall be 
registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as a non-profit, non-stock corporation 
that shall self-regulate the billboard industry in accord with this Act. Membership in the said 
organization shall be required for all billboard constructors. 
All companies/ entities desiring to engage in the construction/ erection, alteration and 
maintenance of non-mobile billboards must be members in good standing of any local, national 
or international outdoor advertising association and must abide by the Code of Ethics and 
Guidelines that may be thereafter adopted by such associations. 
SECTION 13. Responsible Regulated Professional. - Since billboards affect the natural 
and built environments for which the registered and licensed Architects and Environmental 
Planners are responsible, it shall be unlawful for any natural or juridical person to erect, 
construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert, use or maintain any billboard 
or cause the same to be erected unless the signature and dry seal of a registered and licensed 
Architect or Environmental Planner appears on the construction/ erection plans and 
specifications of the billboard. The involvement of such a professional shall ensure that all laws 
and regulations pertaining to the placement/ siting, erection and maintenance of billboards are 
fully enforced. 
SECTION 14. Penal Clause. - It shall be unlawful for any natural or juridical person to 
erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert, use or maintain any 
billboard or cause the same to be erected contrary to or in violation of any provision of this Act. 
No officer or employee of this Republic, chartered cities, provinces, municipalities and 
barangays, now or hereafter charged with the enforcement of laws, ordinances or regulations 
relating to the construction, erection or alteration of non-mobile billboards, shall accept or 
approve any plans, designs or specifications which have not been prepared and submitted in full 
accord with all the provisions of this Act. 
Any individual or firm, whether in the private or public sector, who shall violate any of 
the provisions of this Act and/or commit any act hereby declared to be unlawful shall, upon 
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conviction, be punished by a fine not less than thrice (3x) the amount of the non-mobile billboard 
including its support structure but not more than ten times (lox) the amount of said billboard 
including its support structure or by imprisonment of not less than one (1) year but not more than 
five (5) years, or both, at the discretion of the court. In case of a firm, partnership, corporation or 
association, whether private or public, the penalty shall be imposed upon its official responsible 
for such violation and in case the guilty party is an alien, he/ she shall immediately be deported 
after payment of the fine and/or service of his/ her sentence. 
SECTION 15. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - Within ninety (90.0) days 
after the effectivity of this Act, the DPWH, in full consultation with the Professional Regulatory 
Boards (PRBs) of Architecture and Environmental Planning under the PRC, and with the PRC- 
Accredited Professional Organizations (APOs) of Architects and Environmental Planners, and in 
coordination with other agencies of the national and local governments, shall adopt and 
promulgate such rules and regulations, to carry out the provisions of this Act and which shall be 
effective fifteen (15) days following their publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) major 
daily newspapers of general circulation. An updating/ amendment of the IRR shall be undertaken 
by the DPWH every five (5) years, including the provision/s on the permit and related fees. 
The IRR of this Act, to specifically include the proper spacing, density, sizing and 
proportioning/configation and format of non-mobile billboards within RROWs/ streets as 
partly determined by allowed vehicle speeds, ROWS and legal easements, shall be drafted by the 
DPWH, DOTC and the MMDA for the Metropolitan Manila Area (MMA) and by the DPWH, 
the DOTC, DILG and the provincial LGUs for all other areas outside the MMA. The concerned 
private sector entities shall assist the said agencies in completing their tasks. 
Depending on future need, the DPWH, again in hll consultation with the PRBs of 
Architecture and Environmental Planning under the PRC, and with the APOs of Architects and 
Environmental Planners, shall also prepare and promulgate the necessary guidelines, standards 
and manuals of procedure in accordance with the IRR of this Act. 
SECTION 16. Enforcement ofthe Act. - It shall be the primary duty of the DPWH, in 
collaboration with the PRBs of Architecture and Environmental Planning, and the LGUs to 
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effectively enforce the provisions of this Act. All duly constituted law enforcement agencies and 
officers of national, provincial, city or municipal government or of any political subdivision 
thereof, shall, upon the call or request of the DPWH, render unqualified/ unconditional assistance 
in enforcing the provisions of this Act and to prosecute any person violating the provisions of the 
same. The Secretary of Justice or his duly designated representative shall act as legal adviser to 
the DPW" and shall render legal assistance as may be necessary in carrying out the provisions of 
this Act. 
SECTION 17. Separability Clause. - If any provisions or part hereof, is invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 18. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
SECTION 19. Transitory Clause and Non-Conforming Billboards. - Within five (5) years 
from the date of the effectivity of this Act, any non-conforming non-mobile billboard, including 
those designedlconstructed in full compliance with the National Building Code and its 
Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) or in compliance with LGU building codes or 
ordinances existing as of the approval of this Act shall be dismantled, removed or altered to 
conform to the provisions of this Act. The cost of dismantling, removal or alteration shall be 
charged to the Owner of the non-complying billboard. The Owners of such altered billboards 
shall thereafter secure a certificate of compliance and thereafter secure the required permits and 
pay the necessary fees. 
Existing billboards erected without permits before enactment of this Act shall be given 
written notice to secure a permit and conform to the new requirements within ninety (90.0) days. 
For non-complying Owners, the LGU shall dismantle such billboards at the expense of the 
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All non-mobile billboards that are erected in the manner, position or places other than 
those named/ described herein, or are erected, displayed or maintained without the permit 
thereon having been paid as hereinafter provided or are declared by the appropriate authorities as 
unaesthetic/ unsightly or unsafe or otherwise non-complying with this Act, shall he subject to 
summary removal at the expense of the Owner, upon order of the DPWH or the LGU. 
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SECTION 20. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15.0) days after its 
publication in at least two (2.0) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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