61 vehicles impounded
The Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) impounded at least 61 vehicles and motorcycles yesterday, the first day of implementation of the executive order against counterflowing.
CCTO operations chief Francisco Ouano said that as of 5:20 p.m. yesterday, the Mobile Patrol Group and the Task Force Alpha apprehended 54 motorcycles, five private vehicles, one taxi unit and one public utility jeepney.
These vehicles will be impounded for 30 days.
“Wala tay duha-duha sa pagdakop. Atong gipakita nga wala tay gipili ug kutob sa makita nato nga counterflow, dakpon nato ang driver, issue-han og citation ticket, ug gi-impound ang sakyanan,” he said.
Ouano said the MPG and Task Force Alpha conducted separate operations yesterday in Barangays Guadalupe, Capitol Site, and Carreta.
The confiscated vehicles were brought to the 1.5-hectare city-owned property at South Road Properties for impoundment.
Ouano said the area can accommodate over a thousand of vehicles.
On February 2, Mayor Tomas Osmeña signed and issued Executive Order No. 34 which declares reckless driving pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act 4136 or the Traffic Code of the Philippines, City ordinance No.801 and other existing traffic rules and regulations nuisance per se, providing sanctions thereof and for other purposes.
Yesterday, two motorists who were flagged down for violating the EO complained as they were not allegedly informed about the policy. These motorists claimed they were not from Cebu City.
Ouano, however, said they still went on to impound their vehicles as the policy has been widely spread, adding that there is no reason they will not be informed about it.
He said CCTO enforcers now issue citation tickets for the violation of driving left or counterflowing.
“Katong mga nadakpan, ilang makuha ang ilang sakyanan after 30 days and during that time, anha na sila mo settle sa P500 nga fine,” he said.
Ouano said CCTO will also check if these violators have pending fines to settle as they are mandated to pay all their pending fines before motor vehicles can be released.
Osmeña, in a separate interview, said the city government has a wider space for impounded vehicles at the SRP.
“People are watching whether I will really do it. I have no choice. I have to do it, otherwise I'm making a fool out of myself,” he said, adding that he knows that some people will question his policy.
Osmeña also announced plans to purchase several clamps for the strict enforcement against illegally parked vehicles in a bid to improve the city traffic.