TEAM to vehicle owners: Avail amnesty program

CEBU, Philippines — With just over two weeks left before the deadline, the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (TEAM) is urging vehicle owners to claim their long-impounded units under the ongoing amnesty program.

TEAM Head Hyll Retuya said that this will be their final chance to retrieve their vehicles at a lower cost of only ?1,000 storage fee.

“Hapit na gyud ni siya mahuman kini nga program,” said Retuya in an interview on Friday, July 11.

“Ako, manawagan gyud ko sa katong mga dunay na impound diri nga motorcycle or unsa nga sakyanan,” he added.

To recall, the program began on May 2, 2025, and will end on July 31, 2025.

This program allows owners to reclaim impounded vehicles by paying a significantly reduced storage fee. The amnesty covers only the storage fees, which have long burdened vehicle owners.

Under City Ordinance No. 16-2025-1945, vehicle owners only need to pay a flat storage fee of ?1,000, on top of any fines for traffic violations.

The ordinance waives the accumulated daily storage charges, which have prevented many owners from claiming their vehicles.

As reported, TEAM is targeting that at least half of the 1,428 impounded vehicles from 2019 to 2023 will be reclaimed within the three-month amnesty period.

Retuya added there are still impounded vehicles dating back to as early as 2003 and the years before that.

As of July 11, only 33 vehicles have been claimed, most of which are motorcycles.

Retuya said that the program will not be extended since it is mandated by the ordinance.

He added that the direction of the current administration is to proceed with the auction of the unclaimed vehicles, and the Legal Division is already studying the process to make the auction happen.

“Kuhaa na intawon ni ninyo kay mao nalang ni inyohang last chance sa ubos kaayo ni presyo,” said Retuya.

He added that if the owners fail to claim their vehicles, these will proceed to the next step, which is a public auction.

“Palihug lang kung kinsa toy nanag-iya og impounded nga vehicles diri, palihug lang og bisita sa atoang opisina diri sa TEAM ug kuhaa na intawon inyong mga impounded nga sakyanan,” Retuya said.

When claiming a vehicle, the claimant must be able to prove ownership, either by presenting themselves as the registered owner or providing a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) and the vehicle’s Official Receipt and Certificate of Registration (OR/CR).

Retuya said that the requirements are important to ensure that the released vehicle belongs to the rightful owner. (CEBU NEWS)