MMDA mulls bidding out of unclaimed impounded vehicles

MANILA, Philippines - As a measure to clear out its impounding areas and to collect needed revenue, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) plans to auction off unclaimed impounded vehicles.

The MMDA bared the proposal during the regular meeting of the Metro Manila Council (MMC) in Manila on Thursday. The MMC, composed of all the mayors of Metro Manila, serves as the policy-making arm of the MMDA.

“The maintenance and custody of unredeemed vehicles have been causing unnecessary expenses to the MMDA, hence the Metro Manila Council recognizes the need to dispose these vehicles in order to recover said expenses,” the MMDA’s proposed resolution read.

In its proposal, the MMDA said before any auction is done, the owners of the unredeemed impounded vehicles will be given a written notice through registered mail with a return card.

The notice said the MMDA also gives the owner of the vehicle the option to redeem the vehicle by participating in the auction.

The MMDA said an agency action committee composed of the MMDA  assistant general manager for operations, assistant general manager for finance and administration and the director of the legal service will be in charge of the auction which will be held every first Monday of each month.

According to the MMDA, the minimum bid shall not be less than or equivalent to the total fees and other charges as may be ascertained by the MMDA Action Committee in addition to the fines and penalties provided by the MMDA for the impounded vehicle.

The MMDA said there must be at least two bidders in the auction. Should there be only one bidder, the auction will be considered as failed. Should there be a failed bidding twice, the MMDA will take possession of the auctioned vehicles and dispose of these accordingly, with usable vehicles to be used by the MMDA.

A winning bidder must take his bought vehicle or vehicles out of the MMDA’s impounding area within seven days of the auction. Failure to do so, said the MMDA, will render the bidding null and void with the bidder’s payment being forfeited and his bid considered imperfect.