Campaign vs illegal parking city acquires new truck for towing

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Traffic Operations Management can now continue its operation of towing illegally-parked vehicles in national roads and city streets.

This after CITOM acquired yesterday a new towing truck costing P5 million.

CITOM operations chief Jonathan Tumulak said since August 2014, his office has been using clamps to seize vehicles illegally parked on the roads and streets.

“Ang atong daan nga towing truck kay gipaayo pa man nato. Wala pa ta nakagamit ani since August 2014. Ang katong among nadakpan sa dalan kay gi-clamp ra nato,” he said.

Tumulak said his office will hold massive operation against illegal parking along roads, sidewalks and barangay access roads.

Towing operations of CITOM, he added, will ensure public safety since illegally-parked vehicles are an obstruction to the passage of emergency vehicles in times of crisis or urgencies.

“Usa pud ning illegal parking nga naka-cause og traffic kay naka-obstruct man sa dalan maong dili gyud na pwede mo-park sa dalan; 24  hours gyud na,” Tumulak said.

In a normal day of operation, CITOM apprehends a minimum of 10 illegally parked vehicles.

“Everyday, naa gyud mi madakapan. Karon nga naa na mi towing truck, atong awhag sa mga motorists nga dili nalang gyud magpataka og park kay intensified na among campaign against illegal parking,” he said, adding that it was the directive of Mayor Michael Rama to conduct massive operations.

Tumulak also said the city government is not engaging private towing companies anymore.

He said owners of clamped vehicles will pay a fine of P500 and settle unpaid accounts with the Traffic Violation Bureau.

Once the vehicles are towed, owners will pay P1,500 for motorcycles and P2,500 for four-wheeled vehicles as towing fees.

Tumulak said he has already coordinated with the barangay officials in identifying roads within their areas that are prone to illegal operation, saying that the areas will be prioritized in the clearing operations, especially during night time.

Towed vehicles will be impounded at Block 27 at the North Reclamation Area, Tumulak said. — (FREEMAN)