58 vehicles towed, clamped for illegal parking

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO) apprehended 58 vehicles during the first day of the full enforcement of towing and clamping measures against illegal parking here last Monday.

Police Major Junji Liba, BTAO head, said that 14 vehicles were towed along Lacson Street, while 44 others were clamped by traffic enforcers in “no parking zones.”

Of the 14 towed vehicles, six were motorcycles, two were canter delivery trucks, three were private cars, and three others were tricycles.

These were impounded, according to Liba.

BTAO earlier said that the impounding area has been designated between 15th street and 16th street, which will serve as the central hub for impounded vehicles during the crackdown.

Liba said that 44 vehicles were not impounded but were only clamped because the drivers were able to settle their parking violations.

The enforcement of these measures is part of the city’s initiative to discipline drivers of public utility vehicles (PUVs), private vehicles, and tricycles, alleviate traffic congestion, and ensure smooth vehicular flow within the city.

This is pursuant to City Ordinance 1035 which introduced Tow-Away Zones, indicating that any instance of illegal parking within the areas stated in the ordinance constitutes a violation of the rules, and a vehicle may be towed at any time.

Individuals or entities whose vehicles are discovered parked or stalled in restricted zones or in violation of city ordinances will incur fines.

BTAO conducted a two-week dry run before the full enforcement of the towing and clamping measures here.