As part of its towing guidelines released yesterday, the Manila City government said that a vehicle "being towed or which has been lifted for towing" should be released to the vehicle driver or owner "upon issuance of a release or waiver form and or citation ticket for traffic violation."
The Manila city government has been besieged by complaints against Manila’s only accredited towing firm, Hagar Towing Inc. Hagar receives P1,300 of the P1,500 fine imposed on owners of impounded vehicles.
There have been instances in the past where vehicle owners and tow truck men argue on the streets, often when the latter refuse to release a towed vehicle.
The guidelines also listed the streets where Hagar can tow stalled or illegally parked vehicles, namely the main thoroughfares of Roxas Boulevard, Taft Avenue, South Superhighway, Rizal Avenue, Juan Luna, Jose Abad Santos, Quezon Boulevard, Governor Forbes, España, Road 10, Quirino Avenue, Ramon Magsaysay, C.M. Recto, and United Nations Avenue.
Also listed are Pablo Ocampo, Quirino Avenue, San Andres, Remedios, Pedro Gil, Padre Faura, Estrada, Mabini, Del Pilar, Kalaw, Tayuman, Blumentritt, Aurora Boulevard, San Marcelino, Arlegui, Del Pan, Laon-Laan, Dapitan (from Estrada to Ocampo), P. Noval, V. Mapa, Legarda, J.P. Laurel, A. Villegas, Almeda Lopez, and Concepcion streets.
Towing on all other streets not mentioned is prohibited, according to a statement released by the Manila City government.
Procedures for claiming towed vehicles were also set as the following: presentation of certificate of registration of the car at Hagar’s impounding centers like the Mehan Gardens near the Manila City Hall, request for a towing ticket, payment of the fine, and request for a receipt or a clearance slip for the release of the vehicle.
While impounded, tow truck men are prohibited from entering a towed vehicle and taking any items from it.– Jose Aravilla