Abalos mulls requiring garage for car owners

Newly appointed Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Benjamin Abalos has proposed easing traffic congestion in the metropolis by eliminating all illegally parked vehicles.

Abalos said in a radio interview that he would require all motor vehicle owners to park cars inside garages or parking lots.

He explained that a major contributor to the traffic situation in Metro Manila is the narrowing of roads by illegally parked vehicles.

Abalos stressed that some sanctions might be imposed on motor vehicle owners who do not have garages to park their vehicles.

One of the penalties would be putting on hold the registration of private and public utility vehicles without any garages.

However, Abalos explained that the plan would also provide vehicle owners with time to put up or find their own garages before sanctions are imposed.

Part of the plan would also tap the greater participation of towing firms in cracking down on illegally parked vehicles.

The towing of vehicles is now under the supervision of local government units as a result of the decision of former MMDA chairman Jejomar Binay to shift all responsibilities to the mayors.

Earlier, Abalos said he is considering a review of a number of traffic-related laws such as the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Scheme or the "color-coding" of vehicles and the Seatbelt Law.

He noted that the implementation of the Seatbelt Law in Metro Manila should be reviewed in response to the appeals of motorists.

Abalos argued that the use of seatbelts might be impractical due to the quality of traffic in Metro Manila. Specifically, he said, the speed of vehicles in the metropolis does not merit the use of seatbelts. – Marvin Sy