Paper tiger or end to visual pollution?

NEW RULES to govern Panama City’s ever increasing “visual pollution” from outdoor advertising will come into effect in January  2016. It’s a welcome move, but  the refrain  has been sung many time before, and having a law in place will make no difference if it isn’t enforced.

For many polluters it may be just another paper tiger to be brushed aside or ignored.

The Mayor’s Office is set to apply the new restrictions and if it acts forcefully the city may get a cleaner look while adding some dollars to the treasury.

The rules seek to remove billboards and signs that create an eyesore in the city.

Mayor José Isabel Blandón has repeatedly denounced the existence of “visual pollution” which he says represents a risk to the safety of pedestrians and drivers.

He said studies have shown there are currently more than 12,000 such signs. Of those, about 30 percent may be in violation of municipal regulations.

The new law states that signs may not be placed in certain areas, such as those occupied by churches, airports, parks and national monuments.

Violators can face hefty fines depending on the number of signs they have and their size.

According to Gabriel Barletta, of the Chamber of Commerce, the industry needed an update as the last one was in 2000.

Barletta said that the formation of the law took into consideration the input of the business community, and was achieved through consensus. She said it will “modernize and streamline” the approval process for new signs.

Tomás Engler, of the Urban Citizen Network, said that the new rules are a good first step, but that the authorities have to be consistent in applying them.