A video showed of a person supervising apparently the mounting of a tarpaulin on a street post along the Diversion Road in Mandurriao, Iloilo City.
When checked closely, the person was found to have a strong semblance with Iloilo City Councilor Romel Duron.
The video further showed that the poster being hanged depicts Duron’s face.
According to the concerned citizen who took the video, the footage was taken in May 2024 yet.
The Anti-Squatting and Illegal Structures Unit (ASIS-U) of the Local Government Unit of Iloilo City said that hanging tarpaulins and streamers from trees and posts is prohibited as it is tantamount to littering.
The act violates Regulation Ordinance 2013-330 that prohibits the mounting of billboards, streamers, advertisement collaterals, notices, signboards, and other information materials without permit from the Business Permits and Licensing Division (BPLD).
Violators may face imprisonment of up to two months and a fine of P1,000.
GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas learned that Duron himself sponsored an amendment to the ordinance on regulating the hanging of streamers and related materials. Thus, the legislator is expected to abide by the law he helped pass at the City Council.
The news team tried to get a statement from Duron but he did not grant an interview.
He attended the regular session on November 19, 2024, but as soon as the session was over, he left the hall immediately.
According to the head of ASIS-U, she mulled on seeing Duron in person to discuss the issue, and will also write a formal letter to the councilor if need be.
“Iri-remind ko lang sya upang aware sya at makapag-usap kami at ang mga tauhan nya, mapagsabihan niyang huwag magkabit sa mga poste,” Love Joy Hosenilla, ASIS-U head, said.
As for the head of the BPLD, he said that the ordinance does not stipulate permits for posters of political aspirants, but advertisements and promotional materials do.
"Ang aming focus at mandate is tarpaulins sa mga promotion ng business at advertisements at lahat ng dumadaan sa ating tanggapan, may corresponding yan na mark ng city kung kelan at kung saan at ilang piraso ang allowed. May bayad yan,” Norman Tabud, BPLD head, said.
On Monday, November 18, 2024, ASIS-U started removing tarpaulins, streamers, and posters.
