Hanging clothes on MMDA steel fences not a criminal offense — Tolentino

MMDA steel fences along Aurora Boulevard in EDSA turned into clotheslines (Photo by Richard Ong via Top Gear Philippines)

MANILA – The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said on Wednesday the use of MMDA steel fences by residents as clotheslines “violates the cultural sensibility but is not a ground for criminal case.”

This was the reaction of MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino after the netizens on Tuesday shared photos showing clothes hanging on MMDA steel fences along Aurora Blvd. going to EDSA and commented that those in power should implement measures prohibiting such acts.

“Yes, it was a nasty clothesline. But they can’t be charged with criminal offense. What the enforcer can do is to ask the residents not to use the fences as clothesline,” Tolentino said during a press briefing at MMDA headquarters in Makati City.

He noted that the actions of the residents are just out of practicality.

“They did that out of practicality.

They did not find anything to hang their clothes so they did that. It is unsightly and wrong,” he said.

MMDA Regulation No. 96-009, approved in 1996 by the Metro Manila Council, prohibits anyone “to post, install or display any kind of billboards, signs, posters, streamers, professional service advertisements and other visual clutters in any part of the road, sidewalk, center island, posts, trees, parks and open space.

”

Violators will pay a fine of P500 or render one day of community service.