Save SCTEX from Billboards

"The thrill first time visitors get when they see the SCTEX - bounded by hills, trees, farms, and vast expanses of fields - is awesome! It makes us proud that, indeed, the Philippines is beautiful."

This was the theme that the Chamber emphasized in its position against construction of advertisement billboards along the SCTEX. The letter was submitted to BCDA President Narciso Abaya during the meeting conducted last May 6 at Clark between the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, the Subic Clark Alliance for Development Council, the Clark Development Corporation, and SBMA.

Below is more from the cover letter.

• Beautiful landscapes are the foundation of the tourism industry. Most European countries prohibit billboards; among them Great Britain, Germany, France, Ireland, and Austria. It is one of the reasons these countries are so charming to tourists. Many US states have billboard limitations while some that are not are already starting to take their billboards down. Many tourist destinations disallow billboards: Williamsburg VA, Martha's Vineyard MA, Reno NV, Key West FL, Aspen CO, and many more. All of these states are major tourist destinations.
• Subic Bay is also now becoming a major tourist destination. The past Lenten week saw more than 150 thousand tourists flocking to Subic who mostly used the SCTEX coming here. Everyone was impressed at how beautiful the sceneries along the SCTEX are. SCTEX, it looks like, has also become a tourist attraction itself.
• The Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce (SBFCC) Board of Directors, on behalf not only of its members, but also of all the residents around this area, wants it to stay that way. We believe that it is in the best interests of the public to prohibit advertisement billboards from the SCTEX. and there is a brewing movement to make this so.
• The City of Olongapo already passed a resolution for the abatement and dismantling of billboards along SCTEX. The Subic-Clark Alliance for Development Council (SCADC), last year, also started the movement for further greening of the SCTEX to enhance the road's aesthetic values - planting of more trees, not "planting" of billboards is the program's thrust.
• The majority of motorists hate billboards. Each billboard that is erected blots out a little scenery, weakens the tourism foundation, and makes our country a little less beautiful. The purpose of roadways is transportation, not viewing huge advertisements. The government and ultimately, the people, have paid for the roadways and should not be subjected to unavoidable viewing of undesired advertising.
• The public has a right to enjoy the beautiful terrain, expansive fields, and tranquil vistas along the SCTEX. In this spirit, we hope BCDA will take the lead to uphold Administrative Order No. 160 regulating the billboard industry and we trust BCDA will be at the forefront to protect the beautiful sceneries along our roads.

The letter, and copies of it sent to various heads of government agencies, was received with agreement and enthusiasm. The complete 5-page document is available at the Chamber website. Thanks to Susan Dudley for doing the research leg work.

The potential billboard problem at the SCTEX is not a current issue yet but as Sun Tzu in Art of War said, "Most battles are won before they are fought."