By Rose B. Palacio

Davao City (18 October) -- In compliance with the directive of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. has instructed all regional executive heads across the country to enforce President’s Administrative Order 160 to demolish illegal structures particularly billboards and other advertising signages that pose danger to the public.

In region eleven, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) immediately assessed and evaluated various advertising billboards from Bukidnon down to the poblacion area of Davao which totaled 1,226 and met with local government units (LGUs) particularly the City Engineer’s Office, Building officials, advertising companies and billboard industries to thoroughly discuss the implementation of AO 160.

The DPWH regional office has advised billboard owners to coordinate with DPWH, Highways District Engineering Office or CEO; inspect the durability of their structures or demolish their respective billboards otherwise government team will be forced to dismantle the said illegal billboards and structures.

The total 1,226 inventoried billboards and private signages are within the road-right-of-way (ROW) which should be demolished while 8l are outside ROW.

As evaluated, Compostela Valley has the highest number of billboards totaling 303 followed by Davao del Norte – 273; Davao del Sur (1st DEO) – 272; Davao Oriental (2nd DEO) – 158; Davao City DEO – 92; Davao City sub-DEO – 63; Davao del Sur 2nd DEO – 47; and Davao Oriental (1st DEO) – 18.

Inventory of illegal structures (like shanties, houses, stores, stalls, fence, outpost, garage, etc) within the ROW totaled l9,114. Out of this total, 3,021 were already dismantled and the remaining l6,093 are yet to be demolished.