City Revives Towing of Illegally Parked Vehicles

Because of the rampant illegal parking of vehicles in most parts of Cebu City, the City Traffic Operations Management (CITOM) had already decided to revive the towing of illegally-parked vehicles in roads and sidewalks that has contributed to the traffic congestion in the city.

Councilor Gerardo Carillo, chairman of the Committee on Traffic Management, had already endorsed to the Cebu City Council the draft terms of reference for the accreditation of private towing services that will be hired by CITOM.

Carillo explained that it was decided by the members of the CITOM Board chaired by Ruben Almendras that towing shall be revived to facilitate the removal of illegally parked vehicles in any parts of the city.

“Kinahanglan na g’yud karon nga ibalik nato ang towing of illegally-parked vehicles kay migrabe na ang illegal parking nga naka-contribute sa traffic problem,” said Almendras.

Since CITOM only has one tow truck, it is necessary to hire private towing companies to assist in the removal of illegally-parked vehicles as defined under the provisions of the Traffic Ordinance of Cebu City.

Among the requirements is that those towing companies that wished to assist CITOM in towing illegally parked vehicles shall have American wheel lift system or any similar model, at least four cylinders with a gross weight of 4,800 kilograms.

The tow truck must be equipped with blinkers and flashing lights, sirens with public address system because the procedure is that before the vehicle would be towed, the personnel must inform the concerned motorist of his violation through public address system.

In case the towed vehicle would be damaged during the towing operation, whether arising from CITOM responsibility or of the personnel of the accredited contractor, the contractor shall be the one responsible for the damages. The City Council would still deliberate the amount to be charged against the owners of the towed vehicles.

Towing of illegally parked vehicles was strictly implemented during the stint of then Mayor Tomas Osmeña, but it was suspended when Mayor Michael Rama assumed office in the middle of 2010.