Regulation for the distribution of leaflets and flyers in the city mulled

March 10, 2018 Opinion Sideglance

Citing the need to further strengthen efforts towards curbing sources of waste and pollution City Vice Mayor Edison Bilog has filed a proposed regulatory measure that would seek to monitor and control the distribution of all forms of advertising materials such as leaflets and flyers to the public in the streets of the city.

In the explanation provided under the proposed ordinance Vice Mayor Bilog pointed out that “the City Government of Baguio has always been towards the adoption of measures and safeguards against all forms of pollution,” and that “numerous businesses in the city often use flyers or leaflets and other forms of advertising materials to inform the public about job openings, services, products, among others, however, these add to the waste being generated in the city and even clog drainages when not disposed of properly by individuals to whom there were handed to.”. He further added that by regulating the distribution of all forms of advertising materials to the public in the streets the city would be able to determine the ownership and attached liability over these forms of advertising materials and would be able to inform those responsible by informing them on how these should be properly disposed.

Under the said proposed regulation the city would be adopting a policy to regulate the distribution of all forms of advertising materials such as leaflets and flyers along the streets and other public places in the City of Baguio.

As defined in the proposal, the advertising materials sought to be regulated includes advertisement printed on paper, be it newspapers, magazines, newsletters, booklets, brochures or anything that would be considered a portable printed medium. This will also include flyers which are small handbills advertising an event or product and a leaflet which is a printed sheet of paper, usually folded containing information or advertising and usually distributed to the public for free.

If approved the proposed ordinance will require that prior to the distribution of advertising materials an applicant shall submit a letter of his intention to the City Mayor through the City Treasurer which shall contain the following: (a) name of the applicant, (b) activity/business name and address, (c) place/venue/location where they intend to distribute the advertising materials, and (d) period and duration of distribution. Likewise upon approval of his application the applicant shall secure a special permit and pay the necessary fees and charges before being allowed to distribute the said advertisement materials to the public.

The proposed regulation will also require the applicant to include in his advertising materials information about the existence of the Anti-Littering Ordinance and the need to properly dispose of the said advertising materials after it is read.

Finally, for violations of the provisions of the said proposed measure a fine of one thousand pesos shall be imposed for the first offense while a fine of two thousand five hundred pesos and a prohibition from applying again for advertisement materials and/or securing permits from the city government shall be imposed for the second offense.