Citom needs new impounding area

CEBU, Philippines - The City Traffic Operations Division plans to set up a new impounding area at the South Road Properties since the existing impounding area in block 27 of the North Reclamation Area is already full.

CITOM Executive Director Rafael Christopher Yap said they will need P23 million to construct a new impounding area that they initially plan to be located one hectare away from the site where the University of the Philippines Graduate School Campus.

Yap said that the impounding area they plan to construct will have a perimeter fence to secure the vehicles against thieves, unlike in block 27 where there is barely a fence guarding the impounded vehicles.

The impounding area in the North Reclamation Area is also full already because the Land Transportation Office also uses it as stock area for impounded vehicles.

Most of the vehicles at the impounding area have been there for years and were already recommended by COA for auction.

In 2010, CITOM was authorized by the City Council to auction 385 vehicles that have not been claimed by its owners for several years. Those vehicles are no longer in running condition and all have been appraised to have a value of P2.5 million.

The common reason these vehicles haven’t been claimed is that the owners can no longer afford the penalties including the impounding fees.

Owners of impounded motorcycles need to pay P100 for each day that the vehicle is in the impounding area while for cars, the fee is P300 and P500 for sports utility vehicles and cargo trucks.

The new impounding area, if permitted, will have its own office or waiting area.

CITOM proposed P22,789,031.50 for the project but the City Council approved only P5 million.

Yap said it is not even enough for the backfilling and compacting for the foundation. Yap said they have to find a new impounding area soon because block 27 will be used for another purpose.

Meanwhile, P23 million has been appropriated for the restoration and recovery of sidewalks in 11 major streets in the city.

Among the major streets to get a facelift are J. Alcantara St., Panganiban St., Don. Pedro Cui St., V. Urgello St., Sikatuna St., P. Calomarde St., T. Padilla Extn., Don Mariano Cui St., Lakandula St., V. Ranudo St. and C. Mina St.

The roads shall be restored from eight up to 15 meters including sidewalks.  (FREEMAN)