Illegal parking a criminal act

CEBU, Philippines - Parking vehicles illegally along the sidewalks of the public highways that causes obstruction of the right of way is not just a traffic violation but is also a criminal act. This according to the Department of Public Works and Highways-7.

According to DPWH lawyer Brando Ray Raya obstructive parking is a criminal act under Section 23 of Presidential Decree No. 17 or the Philippine Highway Act of 1953 and violators are liable for fines or jail time.

“It shall be unlawful to usurp any portion of a right-of-way, to convert any part of any public highway, bridge, wharf or trail to his own private use or to obstruct the same in any manner, or to use any highway beach for irrigation or other private purposes…Any person so offending shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand pesos or by imprisonment not exceeding six months,” the section read.

Raya said that just last September 19, DPWH has been deputized by the Land Transportation Office to apprehend illegally-parked vehicles and so far they have been able to identify 35 violators.

Since they do not have a towing truck yet, DPWH deputized personnel just take photos and plate numbers of illegally-parked vehicles and report them to LTO.

In the event that the owner of vehicle will renew the registration, LTO will charge them for violation of PD No. 17.

“Amo ni silang ipa-alarm sa LTO, so kung mag-renew na sila sa ilang rehistro, aduna na silay record of violation ngadto sa LTO,” Raya said during the AGIO-7 Forum yesterday at the PIA office, this city.

They also prepared a template for complaint and will also place a notice of violation on the windshields of illegally-parked vehicles.

Raya said this has been a problem in the region, especially in Metro Cebu for years now. He said the best agencies that could solve this problem are the LTO and the CITOM as the DPWH only assists the two agencies.

Raya also urged the public to report illegally-parked vehicles by taking pictures of the vehicle and filing a complaint with LTO.

“The public can also be a complainant. So, we urge them to also do the same thing if they could see these illegally-parked vehicles and file a complaint to LTO,” Raya said. — (FREEMAN)