CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Traffic Operations Management apprehended more than 70 vehicles that were illegally parked in areas affected by rerouting during the Sinulog grand parade last Sunday.
The Special Traffic Action Force office recorded 72 four-wheeled vehicles towed by the companies One-Stop Towing Services with 37 apprehensions, and Road Warriors with 35 apprehensions. Both are deputized by CITOM to do the towing operations in the city.
Traffic aide Werner Pongan of CITOM said that the apprehension is part of their clearing operation to ensure that the Sinulog grand parade runs smoothly.
The towed vehicles were allegedly parked along the parade route.
“Naka-obstruct sila sa ruta sa procession ug sa parade that’s why gi-tow ilang sakyanan,” he said,
Pongan said that they have started the clearing operation as early as last Friday to prepare for the grand procession last Saturday and for the grand parade last Sunday.
He said that on Saturday, both companies reported they have towed a total of 30 vehicles.
Most of the owners of the apprehended vehicles complained that they were not informed of the rerouting. But Pongan said the rerouting was announced in the newspapers and television while motorists must have known already that rerouting is done every year for the Sinulog celebration.
“Dapat makasabot sila na kung naay occasion pareha sa Sinulog, di na lang sila magdala og sakyanan kung muagi sila sa areas na maapektuhan,” Pongan said.
“Kung ikaw motorista, mo-update gyud ka dapat sa balita kay mao na ang way na ma-inform sila dayon,” he added. —Jessica Ann R. Pareja/BRP (FREEMAN NEWS)