Reclaim impounded units before amnesty ends

CEBU, Philippines — The Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (TEAM) has called on vehicle and motorcycle owners to reclaim their impounded units as the city’s ?1,000 storage fee under its amnesty program is set to end next month.

“Katong dunay mga na-impound sa atoa, motorcycle ba or sakyanan palihug na intawn kuhaa na sa TEAM,”” said TEAM Head Hyll Retuya, in an interview.

Retuya added that the city government’s amnesty program is still ongoing.

To recall, the program began on May 2, 2025, and will end on July 31, 2025. It allows owners to reclaim impounded vehicles by paying a significantly reduced storage fee.

The amnesty covered only the storage fees, which have long burdened vehicle owners.

Under City Ordinance 16-2025-1945, vehicle owners only need to pay a flat storage fee of ?1,000, on top of any fines for traffic violations.

The ordinance waives the accumulated daily storage charges, which have prevented many from claiming their vehicles.

TEAM is targeting that at least half of the 1,428 impounded vehicles from 2019 to 2023 will be reclaimed within the three-month amnesty period.

So far, Retuya reported that only about 20 vehicles, both motorcycles and cars, have been claimed.

“Maayo raman ang dagan, naay mga ni claim pero dili pa ingon daghan,” said Retuya.

He expressed hope that more owners will come forward and reclaim their vehicles before the deadline.

Retuya also explained that some delays are due to owners still waiting to complete the required documents.

When claiming a vehicle, the claimant must be able to prove ownership, either by presenting themselves as the registered owner or providing a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) and the vehicle’s Official Receipt and Certificate of Registration (OR/CR).

Retuya said that the requirements are important to ensure that the released vehicle belonged to the rightful owner.

He added that some owners have not come forward due to financial constraints, as they still need to settle any traffic violation penalties on top of the ?1,000 storage fee.

Others, he said, may have lost interest in reclaiming their units or find them no longer useful.

“Buot huna-hunaon mao na nay pinaka nindot nga chance nga makuha,” said Retuya.

He added that the amnesty program is the final chance for owners to retrieve their units at a low cost.

After the amnesty ends, unclaimed vehicles especially those impounded up to 2023 will be scheduled for public auction.

“Kaning subasta wala na sila'y choice gyud kay it’s between sa amoa ug sa asa namo ibaligya,” said Retuya.

He warned that after the July 31 deadline, the ownership of unclaimed vehicles will be transferred to the city government in preparation for auction. — JG (FREEMAN)