Bacolod City – In a bid to instill discipline among operators of public utility vehicles (PUVs), private vehicles, and tricycles, the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO) has initiated a campaign against illegal parking in Bacolod City, a press release from City Hall said.
Spearheaded by Police Major Junji Liba, BTAO head, the crackdown aims to alleviate traffic congestion and ensure smooth vehicular flow within the city.
To disseminate information about the new regulations, BTAO has strategically placed fixed signages across targeted areas. These signages include red indicators signaling a strict no-parking zone and yellow, denoting regulated parking hours from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Beyond this timeframe, parking is permitted, it said.
Liba highlighted the two-week information drive leading up to the enforcement phase, while the full implementation will commence on October 9, once the towing company is fully prepared for the said operation.
The impounding area has been designated between 15th street and 16th street, Liba said. This specific location will serve as the central hub for impounded vehicles during the crackdown.
The pilot area for this operation encompasses Lacson Extension to the Bata border, with two dedicated teams—one from the north and the other from the south—working collaboratively to enforce the new regulations.
In addition, as part of the initiative, a one-way scheme has been implemented on the side street adjacent to Lacson Street, accompanied by one-side parallel parking.
Individuals or entities, whose vehicles are discovered parked or stalled in restricted zones, in violation of city ordinances, will incur fines as follows:
Wheel clamping rates: sedan class vehicles – P600; medium-sized vehicles – P800; and heavy vehicles – P1,000.
Towing rates: (light vehicles) first 4 kilometers – P1,500; and 2 or 3 wheeled vehicles – P1,000; (medium vehicles) first 4 kilometers – P2,500; (heavy vehicles) first 4 kilometers – P4,500; an additional P200 will be charged for every succeeding kilometer travelled on top of the base fee from towing to the impounding area.
Impounding storage fees: first and second month – P200/day; third and fourth month – P350/day; and fifth and sixth month – P500/day.
City Ordinance 1035 has introduced Tow-Away Zones, indicating that any instance of illegal parking within these areas constitutes a violation of the rules, and the violator’s vehicle may be towed at any time – loading and unloading zones for PUV; within six meters or any intersection or curved lane; in front of all authorized public and private driveways; on designated bicycle lanes; within 4 meters of driveways or entrances to any fire station and hospital; within 4 meters of fire hydrants; on pedestrian crosswalks; on the sidewalks, paths, and alleys not intended for parking; and on bridges or at the foot of any bridge.
(News & photo courtesy of Bacolod City Public Information Office | The Visayan Daily Star)
