Vehicles parked along solemn parade, carousel route to be towed

CEBU, Philippines - Effective this morning, any type of vehicle that will be parked beside the roads and sidewalks covered by the routes of the solemn procession this afternoon and the Sinulog grand parade tomorrow, will be towed by the traffic authorities.

Joy Tumulak, spokesman of the City Traffic Operations Management, said six towing vehicles will be used to remove all illegally-parked motor vehicles and these will be immediately transported to Block 27 of the North Reclamation Area.

Thousands of Santo Niño devotees are expected to join the solemn procession of the holy image starting at 1 p.m. today from the Basilica del Santo Niño passing Osmeña Boulevard to Fuente Osmeña, then right turn to General Maxilom Ave. in Barangay Carreta, right turn at Imus Road, left turn to M.J. Cuenco Avenue to Plaza Independencia and back to the church.

Meanwhile, the carousel route for the Sinulog grand parade is from P. del Rosario St., Imus Road, left turn to General Maxilom Ave. to Fuente Osmeña, left turn to Osmeña Boulevard, right turn to R. R. Landon Street, then to the Cebu City Sports Center.

Despite the previous warning of Mayor Michael Rama to motorists not to illegally park their vehicles in areas not designated for parking, many motorists still ignore the warning prompting CITOM enforcers to clamp their vehicles yesterday.

Tumulak said CITOM had already signed a contract with a private towing company for the use of two of its towing vehicles to augment CITOM's towing vehicles in clearing the streets of obstacles.

The owners of motorcycles that will be towed or removed from the road or sidewalk will be required to pay P2,100 for towing fee and traffic violation before they can claim the motorcycle.

For four-wheeled vehicles like cars, its owners need to pay P2,800 and an additional P300 everyday if the vehicle will not be claimed after 24 hours.

Tumulak said those heavy vehicles like delivery trucks that will be towed with the use of prime movers will be required to pay P5,500 and additional P2,000 everyday if the vehicle will not be claimed immediately.

He added that the owners of vehicles towed by CITOM also need to settle any pending obligation with the Traffic Violations Bureau before they can claim these.

Meanwhile, Tumulak said at least 50 passenger jeepneys have been issued special franchise by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to bring commuters from the temporary terminal at the South Road Properties to the former Compagna Maritima building near City Hall.  –(FREEMAN)