Over 200 vehicles clamped near basilica

CEBU, Philippines — At least 223 vehicles were clamped by the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) for illegal parking from January 10 to January 20 this year, earning the CCTO P334,500 for the said period.

CCTO operations chief Francisco Ouano said most of the vehicles were found in no-parking areas near the Basilica Miñore del Santo Niño.

"Near sa vicinity sa Sto. Niño, dili man designated parking area," Ouano told reporters.

Around 40 traffic enforcers were deployed in various intersections near the church to deal with violators. Ouano said the violators were not only city residents but also from other neighboring towns and cities.

Last January 10 up to the Sinulog Grand Parade, drivers are barred from parking their vehicles along the Sinulog route and within the vicinity of the Basilica Miñore del Santo Niño as devotees are expected to flock to the church.

The designated parking areas are at the open space of the Compania Maritima and Legazpi Street

However, Ouano said they observed maximum tolerance before clamping the vehicles of the violators.

"Maximum tolerance ta ato na time kay fiesta, puro badlong ra g’yud ta before clamping," he said.

He hopes that this will serve as a lesson to drivers to follow traffic rules.

For next year's celebration, Ouano is planning to look for another parking area to accommodate more vehicles because the existing areas can only cater to between 100 to 150 vehicles.

Meanwhile, Ouano said his office was successful in managing the traffic situation during the Fiesta Señor. He said they did not lose control of traffic resulting in the smooth flow of the events.

"So far naa ta'y ginagmay nga problema sa traffic but then isolated ra kaayo. At least successful atoang celebration with the help of the police, sa atoang kadagkoan sa gobyerno. At least prepared ang tanan," Ouano said. — BRP (FREEMAN)