DPWH bans putting names or pictures of officials in project billboards

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
August 14, 2010

TACLOBAN CITY  –  In accordance with the instruction of President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III ordering all government agencies not to use his name or image on government programs and projects, the DPWH has revised the implementing guidelines on DPWH signboard structures which should now only contain the name of the project and location, contractor, the date when it started, and the project's completion.

This means that the names and pictures of any officials will no longer appear on billboards of the Department of Public Works and Highways infrastructure projects all over the country, as gathered from a story posted at the DPWH website.

DPWH Secretary Rogelio L. Singson issued Department Order 37 directing implementing offices of the agency namely Regional, District Engineering and Project Management Offices to adhere to the revised DPWH Standard Project Billboard format banning the use of name or image of any personages including the President in the project billboard.

Based on newspaper reports, P-NOY has ordered his Cabinet and heads of government agencies and Government Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) to refrain from associating the President's personality and identity in their programs and projects and advised not to put up tarpaulins, billboards, and other propaganda materials bearing his name and image.

Under the DPWH modified format, project billboards containing name of project and location, name of contractor, date started contract completion date, contract cost, construction consultant, implementing office (of the DPWH), and source of fund shall be installed in all project sites by the concerned implementing offices of DPWH for the information and guidance of the taxpaying public.

DPWH standard billboard measuring 4 feet x 8 feet using ½ inch marine plywood or tarpaulin posted on 3/16 inch marine plywood are installed at beginning and end of road, bridge and flood control projects and in front of project site for building projects like school building, multi-purpose center, and government offices.

For road projects with length of 10 kilometers or more, billboards are required to be installed at every 5 kilometers interval.

It has been the practice in the DPWH to put up project billboards or tarpaulins bearing the name and image of the President, Public Works officials, and local officials who were supposed to be behind the construction of the roads and bridges.

But the system has spawned criticism from the public who say the politicians are taking credit away from the taxpayers who are actually the ones paying for the infrastructure projects through their taxes payment.