The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has reconstituted under Special Order No. 82, series of 2022 its Task Force “Baklas Billboards” which aims to ensure effective implementation of the provisions of the National Building Code of the Philippines, and Administrative Order Nos. 160 and 160-A, series of 2006.
Formed by DPWH Secretary Roger G. Mercado, the new DPWH Task Force for “Baklas Billboards” is headed by Senior Undersecretary Rafael C. Yabut as Chairman, with Undersecretaries Roberto R. Bernardo, Maximo L. Carvajal, and Eugenio R. Pipo, Jr. as Vice Chair, and members - Assistant Secretaries Antonio V. Molano Jr., Wilfredo S. Mallari, Ador G. Canlas, Eric A. Ayapana, and Mel John I. Verzosa; Project Director and Acting Executive Director of National Building Code Development Office (NBCDO) Atty. Johnson V. Domingo; Legal Service OIC-Director Atty. Juan V. Tallon Jr.; concerned Regional Directors; and District Engineers.
“The reconstituted Task Force, together with other national agencies namely: the Departments of the Interior and Local Government, Finance, Science and Technology-Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, is mandated to issue the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Executive Order No. 165 series of 2022 entitled "Prescribing Regulations on Out-at-Home Advertising Signs and Signboards” signed March 21, 2022,” said Secretary Mercado.
EO No. 165 prescribes standards on all nonmobile advertising signs and billboards, and their support structures, erected and installed, modified, and retrofitted, rehabilitated or otherwise altered and thereafter exhibited.
A Technical Working Group (TWG) will be formed by the Task Force to assist in the crafting of the IRR of said EO No. 165. The TWG will be composed of Bureaus of Design, Maintenance, Equipment, Research and Standards, Quality and Safety; Unified Project Management Office – Buildings and Special Projects Management Cluster, and Legal Service.
The Task Force shall also be assisted by a Secretariat composed of personnel from NBCDO.
Secretary Mercado instructed the team to submit report of activities/works accomplished, action taken and proposed recommendations/measures, for monitoring purposes and to ensure compliance with the law and issuances on billboards, thru the NBCDO.