Committee asked to remove Smart, Globe 'paintings'

FOLLOWING the reconstitution of the Baguio City Billboards Committee, the City Council Tuesday told the committee members to act on the now overdue ad billboards of Smart and Globe, sponsors of this year's Panagbenga.

This developed after several councilors noted the committee has yet to remove the paintings on the overpass roofs despite the fact that Panagbenga ended five months ago.

Councilor Edilberto Tenefrancia told Engr. Januario Borillo, representative of Building Official Oscar Flores, that if Flores's office fails to remove the paintings, the two telecommunications companies should be made to pay for using public property to advertise their companies.

Earlier, Mayor Braulio Yaranon ordered the Baguio Panagbenga Flower Festival Association Inc. to efface the ad paintings on the roofs of the city's overpasses, stressing that these should have been removed simultaneous with that of the conclusion of the festival.

Meanwhile, City Engineer Leo Bernardez, chair of the billboards committee, said appropriate fines and notices have already been issued to building owners who were found to have violated provisions of a city ordinance that limits the sizes of billboards and streamers.

He disclosed that most of the billboards installed at Maharlika, Handaan Building, BPI Building and those located along Zandueta Street are not covered by permits. However, consideration was given to those who have installed billboards prior to the committee's creation.

Bernardez said those who were not covered by permits were given a year to comply with the guidelines set by the committee. (RO)