Solons want probe into MMDA pink road signs

MANILA, Philippines - Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Bayani Fernando's use of the color pink in road signs is not only possibly politically-motivated but is also not in accordance with an international agreement, a militant lawmaker said on Monday. In a radio interview, Bayan Muna Rep. Teodoro Casiño said Bayani's use of the color pink is not in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals, of which the Philippines is one of the signatories, which states the standard colors and sizes that should be used in road signs. "Nakasaad ho dito anong mga kulay ang dapat na gagamitin natin sa mga road signs, mga sizes ng road signs, mga standard symbols, at ito po'y ung internationally accepted standards. Ang problema po na nakikita natin dito sa Metro Manila ang MMDA ay gumagamit ng mga kulay at mga road signs na hindi sumasang-ayon, o hindi sumusunod, sa international standards kung saan tayo ay signatory," Casiño said. (It is stated [in the Vienna Convention] the colors, sizes, and standard symbols of road signs, and these are the internationally accepted standards. The problem that we see with the MMDA is they use colors and road signs that are not in accordance with the international standards wherein we are one of the signatories.) Casiño pushed for a resolution he filed in late December 2008 along with other party-list lawmakers Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo, Gabriela Representatives Liza Maza and Luzviminda Ilagan, and Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano seeking a House probe into the matter. "Gusto namin mapag-aralan sana sa Kongreso ano ba talaga batayan ng MMDA, ni chairman Fernando, bakit ipinagpipilitan niya yung kulay pink sa Metro Manila at bakit nag-iimbento sila ng bagong sizes, bagong standards, ng road signs (We want Congress to study what is the basis of the MMDA and chairman Fernando for using the color pink and inventing new sizes and standards in road signs)," he said. Casiño said Fernando's insistence on the use of the color pink is may be politically-motivated. "Mga pulitiko dito sa Pilipinas, may sarili silang kulay na ginagamit para sa kanilang kampanya. Malaki ang suspetsa na yung kulay pink may halong politika yan, hindi lang simpleng nagustuhang kulay ni Chairman Fernando yan (Politicians here in the Philippines use their own colors for their campaigns. There is a strong suspicion that politics is involved here, chairman Fernando doesn't just use pink because he likes the color)," he said. Fernando has earlier declared his intention to run as president in the 2010 national elections. Casiño said while the Vienna Convention does not explicitly ban the use of colors not specified within the agreement, it would do well for the country to follow the specified standards to avoid confusion for Filipinos who go abroad. Casiño also described the MMDA's signs as "road hazards" and "eyesores." In their resolution, the party-list lawmakers said Bayani's road signs not only violate the Vienna Convention, but "are also public nuisances" that violate the Article 694 of the Civil Code because the signs "annoys or offends the senses." The MMDA signs also go against Administrative Order 160-A titled "Specifying the Legal Grounds and Procedures for the Prohibition and abatement of Billboards and Signboards Constituting Public Nuisance or Other Violations of Law," the party-list lawmakers said. Fernando earlier drew flak from another congressman, Senior Deputy Minority Leader and Parañaque Rep. Roilo Golez, who likewise questioned the MMDA chief's use of pink in road signs. Golez alleged during the hearings on the MMDA's proposed budget for 2009 that Fernando is using taxpayers' money to forward his political interests. As of posting time, GMANews.TV cannot reach Fernando for his comments. - Johanna Camille Sisante, GMANews.TV