No political, commercial tarps in public places

CEBU CITY – Mayor Michael Rama has ordered the removal of political and commercial tarpaulins in public places, saying he does not want Cebu turned into a “poster city.”

Rama said there will be no distinction whether the tarpaulins are hung by politicians, their supporters or businesses that promote products and events, among others.

“All tarpaulins in the major roads in the City have to be removed. Only tarpaulins that will bring activity and are authorized by the City Government… even if the government is earning, I don’t care. I don’t want the whole City of Cebu to become a poster city, a commercial display of products,” he said.

Rama also cited tarpaulins installed in flyovers, trees, public walls, electric poles, bridges, among others. He said even tarpaulins that are being posted in different villages have to be removed.

The mayor instructed the members of the “Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification and Enhancement (PROBE) team, the Cebu City Traffic Office, and the City Environment Sanitation Enforcement team, including the barangay environment officers to implement his order.

He urged politicians and businessmen to place their advertisements over radio, newspapers, or social media, stressing he does not want the city to become an “advertisement territory.”

Rama said Cebu City has existing ordinances which prohibit the posting of bills and graffiti, as well as against littering. “There is also an ordinance requiring the City to maintain orderliness and cleanliness,” he said.

He also ordered the Department of Public Services to remove the steel railings installed in the major thoroughfares. “I’ve always been wanting, please do not divide the road during the evening, an accident is awaiting. When brownout occurs then you will not see what it is in the middle. We’re not only talking about accidents, it is constricting the road. When you divide the road you divide the space,” he said. (John Rey Saavedra)