MMDA targets ‘sneaky’ towing firms

A number of towing firms have been operating with an unfair advantage over their competitors with the help of some traffic enforcement insiders.

Angelito Vergel de Dios, Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) executive director for traffic, revealed yesterday that a number of the towing firms have been using hand-held radios issued to MMDA officials and employees.

Four of these radios were discovered in the possession of two towing firms namely "Nat" and "Fighter" during an inspection.

The inspections are being conducted as part of the accreditation process of the MMDA for all tow trucks operating within Metro Manila.

MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando issued the directive following the approval of the unified towing guideline by the Metro Manila Council two months ago.

De Dios pointed out that the two-way radios were being used by the towing firms to monitor reports being received by the MMDA Metrobase on stalled or illegally parked vehicles.

The vehicles with MMDA-issued radios can then immediately proceed to the reported areas ahead of their competition.

De Dios said the two towing firms involved in the illegal activity have been excluded from the list of firms applying for accreditation with the MMDA.

On the other hand, the MMDA officials and employees, whose names appear on the memorandum of receipt for the two-way radios, have been directed to submit an explanation.

De Dios revealed that the radios have been in use by the towing firms for some time now. The discovery was only made possible because of Fernando’s new directive. He said one of his own inspection officers had been sent to investigate the two trucks instead of the regular inspectors.

For the towing firms to be accredited, several requirements have to be complied with by the end of the year, including the securing of yellow license plates for their vehicles and the presence of two-way radios in each truck as well as the tools necessary for its operations.

The MMDA has set a target of 50 tow trucks to be accredited for the entire metropolis.

Critical areas such as EDSA would be separated into four sectors, with four tow trucks operating within each sector.

The guidelines on towing was issued in response to the complaints of motorists about the abuses being committed by the towing firms particularly on the fees being collected.

Reports received by the MMDA indicate that there are more than 50 tow trucks operating illegally around the metropolis.

Fernando said all apprehended tow trucks would be impounded and required to secure clearance from the office of the MMDA chairman before they can be released.

Under the new towing guidelines, the firms should charge motorists a flat rate of P800, representing the towing fee.