Atienza warns tow companies on abuses

Manila Mayor Lito Atienza today warned the city’s accredited towing firms, Hagar Towing Inc., and the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau, to strictly follow standard operating procedures in towing illegally parked vehicles or face stiff sanctions.

Atienza issued this warning after receiving numerous complaints of their abuses from motorists, such as towing vehicles even if the drivers are on board and the engine is running.

"The policy is very clear, only unattended, illegally parked vehicles should be towed. If a vehicle is in a no parking zone but the driver is on board, then you don’t’ have to tow it. All you have to do is to tell the driver to move the vehicle out of the no parking zone," Atienza pointed out.

He also reminded Hagar Towing, Inc. and the Manila Parking and Traffic Bureau that their personnel are not supposed to enter a towed vehicle and touch anything inside or tinker with the engine or any part of a vehicle. All they can do is attach the towing mechanism.

"I have received complaints from motorists regarding the loss of valuables inside towed vehicles as well as damage to vehicles while being towed.

He further directed the towing firms to make sure that their drivers follow traffic rules and regulations after receiving a report from a motorist that a Hagar tow truck with body number 630 went against one-way traffic along Dapitan St. last week with a vehicle in tow.

The motorist reported to Atienza that he even told the tow truck driver that he was going against traffic but the driver just smiled at him. "The crew of this Hagar tow truck should be disciplined and I expect a report on the action taken against them," he said.

"You are not indispensable. If you continue to violate standard operating procedures and if I continue to receive complaints of abuse, I will cancel your contract," Atienza told the towing firm.