City to bolster drive against illegal parking

CEBU, Philippines - The City of Talisay-Traffic Operation Development Authority will be intensifying towing of illegally-parked vehicles in roads and sidewalks, including those in barangay access roads.

Councilor Danilo Caballero, chairman of the committee on peace and order, said he is requesting Mayor Johnny de los Reyes to purchase one towing truck for the CT-TODA to regulate unlawful parking and stopping at some parts of city streets.

In a recent meeting of the City of Talisay Peace and Order Council, CT-TODA officer in-charge Mario Zafra extended his desire to acquire an authorized tow vehicle to address the traffic congestion due to unattended or non-functional vehicles along highways and roads of the Talisay.

Caballero pointed out that under Section 130 SP Ordinance No. 2012-09 or the "Revised City of Talisay Traffic Code," all types of vehicles not in accord to the designated parking area shall be subject for clamping or towing to be safely placed and secured in the impounding area designated by the CT-TODA and may be released to owners only upon payment of appropriate dues, fees and penalties.

Furthermore, Section 131 of the code declares the list of streets and areas as tow-away zones.

Caballero said the purchase of towing truck is already included in the Annual Investment Program for the calendar year 2014 that was approved by the City Development Council under Resolution No. 2013-05 on December 6, 2013.

The designated tow-away zones are the whole stretch of the South Reclamation Area and the Cebu South Coastal Road, from the boundary of Cebu City to N. Bacalso Avenue junction in Barangays Linao and Lawaan, the Gaisano-Tabunok Street to Rabaya Street and the national road from Tabunok flyover to Barangay Lagtang.

For towed vehicles, the drivers or owners shall pay first to the city treasurer the penalty of P1,500 for light vehicles (with engine displacement of 1600cc and below), P2,500 for medium vehicles (1601cc to 2800cc) and P3,000 for heavy vehicles (2801cc and above).

Seventy percent of the fines collected from violators of the ordinance will go to the Talisay City Traffic Commission while the rest goes to the city coffers.

Though Caballero's proposal is supported by Councilors Edward Alesna and Valeriano Ylanan, it is yet to be discussed in today's council session.