By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – The Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO) has started the full implementation of clamping and towing measures here on Monday, October 9, as part of the city’s initiative to discipline drivers on illegal parking.
Police Major Junji Liba, BTAO head, said that 12 traffic enforcers divided into two groups were deployed as part of the mobile team, aside from stationary enforcers in various areas.
Liba said the city has conducted a two-week dry run to inform the public about the said measures. But, there are some who are still not aware of such enforcement.
“I don’t know lang ha kay indi ta man gid sila ma isa-isa pero definitely, may ara gid man siguro wala kabalo. Indi ta obligasyon na isa-isahon ta sila pabalo,” Liba said, adding that the information dissemination that they have done was enough and complete.
BTAO has strategically placed fixed signages across targeted areas as part of its information dissemination.
These signages include red indicators signaling a strict no-parking zone and yellow, denoting regulated no-parking hours from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Beyond this timeframe, parking is permissible.
City Ordinance 1035 has introduced Tow-Away Zones, indicating that any instance of illegal parking within these areas constitutes a violation of the rules, and a vehicle may be towed at any time.
These include loading and unloading zones for PUV, within six meters of any intersection or curved lane, in front of all authorized public and private driveways, on designated bicycle lanes, within four meters of driveways or entrances to any fire station and hospital, within four meters of fire hydrants, on pedestrian crosswalks, on the sidewalks, paths, and alleys not intended for parking, and on bridges or at the foot of any bridge.
The pilot area for this operation will be along Lacson Extension to Bata Border, with two dedicated teams—one from the north and the other from the south—working collaboratively to enforce the new regulations.
Also, a one-way scheme has been implemented on the side street adjacent to Lacson, accompanied by one-side parallel parking.
Liba said these measures aim to alleviate traffic congestion and ensure smooth vehicular flow within the city, as well as instill discipline among operators of public utility vehicles, private vehicles, and tricycles.
Liba said that at least 20 violators were apprehended here on October 4 and 5 for illegal parking.
The impounding area has been designated between 15th Street and 16th Street, Liba stated. This specific location will serve as the central hub for impounded vehicles during the crackdown.
Individuals or entities whose vehicles are discovered parked or stalled in restricted zones or in violation of city ordinances will incur fines.
Wheel clamping rates for sedan-class vehicles will be P600, medium-sized vehicles P800, and heavy vehicles P1,000.
For towing fees, the first four kilometers for light vehicles is P1,500, and for two or three-wheeled vehicles is P1,000, the first four kilometers for medium vehicles is P2,500, and P4,500 for heavy vehicles covering the same distance.
An additional P200 will be charged for every succeeding kilometer travelled on top of the base free from towing to the impounding area.
