Minglanilla passes towing ordinance

To ease traffic

CEBU, Philippines — The Minglanilla Municipal Government has drafted measures to counter the rampant illegal parking and stopping violations in their locality in order to ease the traffic for the southbound vehicles.

Minglanilla has been identified as the choke point during rush hours.

The municipal council has approved an ordinance declaring certain main thoroughfares in Minglanilla as “tow-away” zones to control and regulate those vehicles that park and stop along the major roads.

This policy now allows the municipal government to tow motor vehicles that are illegally parked or stopped at these roads, penalizing them for their corresponding street violations.

Through the passage of the ordinance, motorists are now prohibited to stop, stand or park their vehicles "even momentarily" along the roads predetermined by the Minglanilla Traffic Commission (MITCOM).

The MITCOM is tasked to install the "tow-away zone" street signs and to maintain them.

The municipal government instituted this towing policy to address congestion commonly experienced there especially along the main highway or the portion of N. Bacalso Street.

One of the traffic problems observed are the vehicles that illegally park and recklessly stop anywhere that obstructs the vehicular flow at the Minglanilla roads.

Under the ordinance, the driver or owner of the vehicle can pay the "compromise" penalties if he or she does not want to face a legal case.

Depending on the discretion of the court, violators may either be imprisoned or fined, or both.

Imprisonment may range from one month to six months while the fines would range from P2,000 to P5,000.

A person who forces the release of a towed vehicle or who becomes violent while the vehicle is being towed will also be held liable.

Meanwhile, the towed vehicles will be brought to the municipality's impounding area or other designated areas.

Aside from the MITCOM personnel, the police enforcers are also authorized to tow vehicles.

Any towed vehicle will not be released unless the driver or owners has settled the penalties for the traffic violations, including the towing charges and storage fees.

With the "non-liability" clause under the ordinance, the Minglanilla municipal government or its employees is spared from the liabilities for any damage of the vehicle that may happen during towing or while it is placed at the impounding area.

The ordinance was approved last December 11, 2018. (FREEMAN)