For illegal parking: CCTO clamps 180 vehicles

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) has clamped at least 180 vehicles for illegal parking in the downtown area last Sunday.

CCTO Operations Chief Francisco Ouano said these vehicles were caught illegally parking along the stretch of M.J. Cuenco Avenue, outside the open slot of Compania Maritima and other busy streets.

“Mo-parking man gud sila sa sidewalk, dili mana pwede kay daghan moreklamo diri kay dili sila kaagi,” Ouano told reporters yesterday.

In the downtown area, specifically near the vicinity of Basilica Miñore del Santo Niño, the only designated parking areas are in the open space of Compania Maritima and along Legazpi St.

Since January 10, streets near Basilica will be closed to traffic to pave the way for the devotees who will attend the novena mass.

“Mostly diri gyud, ako giingnan, dili ta mo-clamp within sa vicinity sa Sto. Niño.  Og maka-obstruct, automatic na siya ma-tow or clamp,” Ouano said.

Due to the Sinulog related events, the downtown area has been the busiest streets every month of January because of the influx of devotees.

He said the drivers should observe simple traffic policy so that their vehicles will not be clamped and they will not be slapped with a P1,500 fine.

Last Sunday alone, CCTO earned P270,000 because of the drivers who parked their respective vehicles in “no parking” areas.

Most of the violators are not from the city, but rather from neighboring towns and cities.

Once the fine is paid, CCTO will remove the clamp immediately.

“Mao na akong giingon nila nga bahala’g layo sila mo-parking basta as long as safety,” he said.

Ouano said devotees of Señor Sto. Niño who were not residents from the city are welcome but they need to follow the traffic policy, so that the streets will be orderly.

“Tungod sa celebration, ang kapistahan sa Señor atong tanan, welcome sila sa Cebu City but then mohangyo lang ta nila nga mo-park sila sa designated parking area kay og dili sila mo-park, ma-towing and ma-clamp, makabara sa trapiko,” he said.

At least 40 traffic enforcers are deployed to man the traffic condition in all intersections near the church and apprehend those erring drivers. (FREEMAN)