MANILA, Philippines – With its hands tied behind its back in the case of dismantling commercial advertisements on waiting sheds and sidewalks, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is foreseeing a proliferation of visual clutter along major thoroughfares in the metropolis.
MMDA chairman Oscar Inocentes said Metro Manila would be transformed into a "jungle of ads" after a Makati regional trial court issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) last week against the agency on its dismantling operation of such commercial ads.
“Now, how do you solve a headache of this magnitude, which, if left unattended, can wreak chaos on the streets because these ads would obstruct the motorists’ view of the road, clog drainage inlets and pose danger to the lives and limbs of the public if blown away by a heavy storm?” he said.
The TRO stemmed from a new petition filed by an outdoor ad firm, City Advertising Ventures Corp., to prevent MMDA personnel from further dismantling waiting sheds that were used in displaying commercial advertisements.
The court order also enjoined the MMDA from prohibiting the company to construct new waiting sheds.
“It’s unfair to prohibit the MMDA from dismantling their advertisements while allowing City Ads to indiscriminately put up new ads. This runs afoul of the very purpose of the TRO,” said lawyer Rochelle Macapili, head of the MMDA Legal and Legislative Affairs.
Macapili said her team will file a motion of reconsideration before the Makati court. They are also seeking the dismissal of the case. - By Dennis Carcamo
