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WHEREAS, the prevalence of newsstands in various forms and sizes along the sidewalks has greatly contributed to road obstruction, urban eye sores and clutter that continue to proliferate and impede the movement of pedestrians and motorists and destroy the aesthetic view of Metro Manila ’s surroundings;

WHEREAS, the strict implementation of MMDA Resolution No. 02-28, Series of 2002, popularly known as “Sidewalk Clearing,” favorably resulted to the removal of all obstructions along the sidewalks, including improperly placed newsstands thereby affecting the turnover and circulation of all major dailies in Metro Manila;

WHEREAS, newspapers have become part of everyone’s lives as these are medium of information for busy people lacking sufficient time to listen to the radio and/or watch television for an update on national and international scenes involving social, political and economic events, among others;

WHEREAS, considering the informative and educational values of newspapers and related materials, the Metro Manila Council recognizes the socio-economic significance in allowing newspaper dealers thru their accredited sellers locate its establishments on the sidewalks of Metro Manila by adopting uniform newspaper racks to be utilized by the vendors provided that these racks will not obstruct pedestrian walkways.

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved as it is hereby resolved, pursuant to Section 6 of RA 7924, that the Council hereby prescribes the following implementing guidelines and standards on establishment of uniform newspaper racks to be utilized by newspaper dealers and vendors in the Metro Manila, and providing the following rules and regulations pertaining to its operations/activities, to wit:

Section 1. Coverage. All newspaper dealers and vendors shall use/adopt uniform newspaper racks to be utilized in vending newspapers and related materials.

Section 2. Guidelines

2.1 Size. The size of the newspaper rack should be 2,000 mm in length and 500 mm in width. A four-inch (4”) space on the uppermost portion shall contain the Metro GWAPO logo (extreme left), the words “MMDA AUTHORIZED” (upper middle portion), “NEWSPAPER RACK” (below) and the Association logo (extreme right). The bottom space below shall indicate the control number, operator’s name and location.

2.2 Location/Installation . The newspaper rack shall either be placed against the wall or around existing structures or trees in a manner that it will not block the sidewalk.

2.2.1 For newspaper racks to be placed against a wall, a maximum of 5 panels on line may be allowed per location.

2.2.2 For newspaper racks to be placed or wrapped around existing structures on sidewalks, the distance of the racks from the structure shall not be more than 150 mm. Racks wrapped around existing structures shall not be more than 5 panels.

The minimum distance of panels per location should be thirty (30) meters.

2.3 Requirements/Limitations

No other goods shall be placed on the newspaper racks. Only newspapers, magazines, pocketbooks and other informative/educational reading materials are allowed.

Display and selling of pornographic materials are strictly prohibited.

2.4 Each newspaper rack shall be registered and be provided with corresponding control number by the concerned LGU to be indicated in the local permit.

2.5 Newspaper publishers shall be given first priority to make use/utilize the designated locations for the sale of reading materials following the prescribed guidelines, existing laws and MMDA Resolutions that may be passed by the Council.

2.6 Respective LGUs shall implement this Resolution and shall issue the corresponding permits for this kind of establishment. The MMDA and LGU concerned shall remove any and all obstructions, including newspaper racks that do not conform to the prescribed guidelines as provided hereto.

Section 3. Monitoring Function: The Sidewalk Clearing Operations Group of MMDA shall monitor the operational activities of these newspaper racks to ensure that these are properly installed according to the prescribed guidelines.

Section 4. Penalty. Non-compliance with or any violation of the prescribed guidelines as provided for in this Resolution and other related laws and ordinances shall be a ground for the removal and confiscation of the newspaper rack and the printed materials displayed thereon as well as the automatic revocation of the permit issued therefore by the LGU. In this instance, the LGU may seek the assistance of the MMDA in the removal of the structure or non-conforming newspaper racks.

Section 5. Effectivity. This Resolution takes effect fifteen days after its publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Adopted: 20 Sept. 2007

(SGD.) BAYANI F. FERNANDO Chairman
(SGD.) VERGEL A. AGUILAR Mayor, Las Pinas City	(SGD.) FELICIANO R. BELMONTE, JR. Mayor, Quezon City
(SGD.) ROBERT C. EUSEBIO Mayor, Pasig City	(SGD.) MA. LOURDES C. FERNANDO Mayor, Marikina City
(SGD.) SHERWIN T. GATCHALIAN Mayor, Valenzuela City	(SGD.) JAIME C. MEDINA Mayor, Municipality of Pateros
(SGD.) CANUTO S. ORETA Mayor, Malabon City	(SGD.) ALDRIN L. SAN PEDRO Mayor, Muntinlupa City
(SGD.) WENCESLAO B. TRINIDAD Mayor, Pasay City	(SGD.) HERBERT M. BAUTISTA Chairman, Metro Manila Vice Mayors League
(SGD.) SERAFIN Y. BERNARDINO President Metro Manila Councilors League