MMDA Regulation 24-001 strongly reiterates that posting ads on their lampposts is illegal
Back in 2022, we posted the MMDA’s reminder that ads and banners posted on government property are illegal. When they say “government property”, they mean light and electrical posts, footbridges, and overpass structures. These are just some examples, of course. It’s 2024, and the agency has again reiterated its illegality, and this time they are quick to point out that the use of lampposts that they maintain is likewise prohibited. Here’s a Memo regarding this matter.
MMDA-maintained lampposts cannot be used for ads or commercial purposes
Photo: Metro Manila Development Authority
The document you see above, MMDA Regulation No. 24-001 Series of 2024, was approved and adopted by the Metro Manila Council on January 10 this year. In it, the only legal materials to be posted on lampposts are those that give “only informative announcement, events related to the MMDA, Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), and other government agencies/offices”.
The definition of, or how to identify lampposts maintained by the agency was not specifically indicated, though. But we surmise that we can simply take it that most that we see along the roads are.
Photo: Metro Manila Development Authority
More specific guidelines have been lined up on the lower half of the document. Aside from reiterating what is illegal, it also indicates that whatever material/s mean/s to be posted must first be approved. Maintenance and clearing of the lampposts will be carried out by the Metro Parkway Clearing Group (MPCG) of the MMDA and should any illegal materials be taken down, they will be destroyed.
Number 7 of the guidelines is the icing on the cake, though, as it clearly states that a fine of PHP 5,000 per lamppost utilized will be slapped on violators of the Regulation. We can assume this will include the advertiser, the agency, and any and all individuals who allowed their materials to be posted.
Photo: Metro Manila Development Authority
Reminders are always good, but one must beg the question as to why they must be constant and consistent. Do we truly live in such a headstrong, stubborn, dare we say it uncaring society that people would always try to get away with doing wrong things if they can get away with it, and if they don’t, just apologize, pay the fines, and move on?
We digress.
Be warned, folks. That’s no small amount of money to fork over for advertising.
