The Traffic Management Office here is requesting the city government to allocate funding for the acquisition of vehicle wheel clamps and a tow truck to address the increasing problem of illegal parking.
TMO chief Gilbert Ablong on Wednesday said his office has already submitted to the City Budget Office a proposal for the purchase of five-wheel clamps and a tow truck with an estimated total price of P800,000.
Ablong said some violators, who parked their vehicles along the Burgos Promenade, which is supposed to be off-limits to traffic and ambulant vendors, were issued citation tickets on Monday.
These vehicles were photographed by a journalist who posted them on social media with many netizens commenting on the violations, noting it was not the first time that vehicles were illegally parked in that road intended solely for pedestrians.
At the time of the incident, the Philippine Councilors League was holding its election at a nearby hotel, and the unattended vehicles, one of which did not even have a plate, most likely belong to those attending the activity.
“We have no other option but to just issue citation tickets for illegal parking, and since the fine is only P300, the problem remains,” Ablong said.
He explained that the proposal for the wheel clamps and tow truck would still have to be deliberated on by the city council for inclusion to the city’s executive budget for next year.
He is hoping that the city will not turn down the proposal considering the increasing number of vehicles in the city.
“The traffic is getting worse in the city and admittedly we cannot catch up with the demands of traffic enforcers especially during peak hours,” Ablong added.
The TMO has 94 traffic enforcers divided into two shifts, but the city’s traffic has grown and areas that were once clear of traffic are now also experiencing this problem, he said.
At peak hours and in areas with heavy traffic, such as near schools and the downtown district, at least two to three traffic personnel are needed at one time, he added. (Judy F. Partlow/PNA)
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