MRT removes "noncompliant" ad billboards

MRT removes ‘noncompliant’ ad billboards

By Paolo Montecillo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 21:52:00 08/08/2010

Filed Under: Advertising, Contracts

MANILA, Philippines—The operator of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) line along Edsa is dismantling and correcting several billboards, put up by its former advertising contractor Trackworks Rail Transit, Vending and Promotions Inc. (Trackworks), which do not comply with the country’s building code.

In a statement, MRT Development Corp. (MRT Devco) led by local businessman Robert Sobrepena, likewise said it had already cancelled its contract with Trackworks. The company said it would handle the train line’s advertising business itself.

The move is in compliance with a recent drive by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) against illegal advertising assets along highways.

The department found that several billboards installed along the MRT line on Edsa were in violation with the local building code. The violations, among others, were that the advertisements were either too big or blocked the flow of air through MRT ventilation ducts.

“We are now dismantling advertising assets that are not in compliance with the MRT’s standards,” MRT Devco said.

“We will cooperate with DPWH in addressing the alleged violation of Trackworks and also would like to assure the advertising public that MRT Devco will continue to provide advertising services to the public,” MRT Devco assistant vice-president Bob Laigo said.

MRT Devco said the DPWH originally wanted Trackworks to do the corrections. But government officials were surprised to find out that the company’s contract with the MRT operator had already been cancelled.

The MRT’s advertising business is now handled by Media Puzzle Inc., which acts as an advertising agent.

Laigo said the contract with Trackworks was not renewed in August last year after the company failed to pay a total of P367 million to the MRT operator, representing its share in advertising revenues.

This led to the cancellation of the contract, which Trackworks appealed twice with the Regional Trial Courts of Pasig and Makati. The advertising company lost both appeals.