(prensa.com) The row over the billboards in the streets and roads of Panama has just begun.
The Ministry of Public Works (MOP) is moving expeditiously to remove the structures with their own staff who are on public land in violation of Resolution AL-002-11 Jan. 5, which requires all companies with billboards in servitude to remove them.
The rule allowed 15 days to remove the structures located on roads that are currently expanding: the Boulevard de Sona, Veraguas, the path of friendship and Highway Arraiján-La Chorrera, Panama, the David-Boquete road, in Chiriqui Chitre road-currency, in Herrera and La Villa-Las Tablas, Los Santos.
The deadline imposed by the resolution has expired and there are still hurdles on the road easements. “”Not only causing a danger to drivers, but are hampering the expansion work, said Mitsila Espino, executive secretary of the MOP.
The official said he would meet with mayors and magistrates in the affected areas, which must be consenting to the procedure.
The removal of the structures it would make MOP officials or contractors for that purpose.
Meanwhile, entrepreneurs Guild fences, grouped in the Union of Outdoor Advertising Panama (Uppex) have filed two constitutional guarantees protections against the decision of the MOP. His argument is that Act 11 of 2006, which protects the MOP to order the withdrawal of the fence, does not empower the agency to proceed with removal.
Judicial sources reported that one of the injunctions had been admitted to the office of Judge Victor Leonel Benavides, which could mean the temporary suspension of the order.
Espino said the MOP has not been formally notified of the suspension of the resolution and therefore would continue with its plans.
Public Works Minister, Federico Jose Suarez said there was already a Supreme Court ruling on the matter. Consideró, además, que la ciudadanía está de acuerdo con que se reduzca la contaminación visual en las carreteras de Panamá. Also considered that the public agrees to reduce the visual pollution on the roads of Panama.
Furthermore, in the legal field, the parties are lobbying to defend their arguments.
Pedro Campagnani, Uppex president, said they were filing with the municipal councils of each district of the country the bill to regulate the activity, which would give municipalities the ability to grant permits to businesses.
According to the businessman, officials are realizing that opening a large hole in the budgets of the municipalities is serious, they are preventing further raise taxes.
For its part, the MOP is working on a campaign against the visual pollution that is emitted in the national media and would be paid for with funds from the treasury.