MANILA – September 30, 2013 – Some buses will now have to go bare as they ply Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA), one of the locations where the Land Transportation Office and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board cracked down on buses with oversized ads last week.
Such ads concealed broken vehicle parts, as well as the bus name, license plate number, and body number, according to LTFRB Chairman Winston Ginez.
"We want to remind the operators that PUVs are given franchises to convey passengers and not to be used as advertising billboards," Ginez said.
According to LTFRB, ‘Oplan Hubaran’ would be conducted at key locations in the metropolis.
LTFRB, LTO, and other traffic law enforcers implemented the crackdown on September 25, apprehending and penalizing at least 30 buses with ads that covered the windows, GMA News Online reported.
The crackdown came after Memorandum Circular 2013-005 became effective September 15, replacing a 2007 circular that lifted the moratorium on the installation of transit ads. Following the 2009 amendments, operators are required to limit ads on their vehicles so as not to cause traffic hazards, nor compromise their passengers’ safety.
Under the guidelines, public utility jeepneys can only have ads on their toppers, while taxis may install ads on toppers as well as the upper portion of the back windshield with specific measurements. PUV operators are required to formally file for the installation of transit ads, and must submit a copy of the contract between the operator, advertiser, and advertising agency.
Under ‘Oplan Hubaran’, first-time offenders are fined P10,000. On the second offense, the fine is P20,000. The ads, as well as the license plates will be removed, and may only redeemed with the LTO and LTFRB’s clearance, to be given after the operator removes the oversized ads. Meanwhile, those who violate the wrap-around ad prohibition will have their permits revoked, the LTFRB said.
Sponsor
