CCTO releases first batch of impounded vehicles
At least 30 motorcycles and one car, which were part of the 85 vehicles impounded during the first day of the implementation of the anticounterflow policy of Cebu City, have been released yesterday.
Cebu City Transportation Office Operations head Francisco Ouano said his office considered the lapse of the 30-day impounding period yesterday even if February lacks two days to complete the period.
“Dili gyod ni mahog og 30 days kay wala baya'y February 29 ug 30 pero gi-consider lang nato kay maglisod nata og ihap,” he said.
Mayor Tomas Osmeña said he is planning to draft another order that will increase from 30 to 60 days the penalty for second time violators.
“Warning lang, you get your motorcycles back. If we see you again, it would be 60 days, the second violation. I hope I never see them again,” Osmeña said.
It was on February 5 when the CCTO implemented the Executive Order No. 34 or the anticounterflow policy. On the first day of implementation, Ouano said there were 75 motorcycles, one jeepney, one taxi, and five private vehicles impounded.
Those that will redeem their impounded vehicles were made to pay P500 for violating the traffic rule, he said.Ouano said he is hopeful that these motorists have learned a lesson.
“Ato silang gipahibaw nga at least karon, gihatagan sila og chance kay karon, walay storage fee. Second time around, magbayad na sila og storage fee,” he said.
For the impounding, he said motorcycle drivers will pay P100 storage fee per day, P300 for delivery trucks, and P500 for trailer trucks. To redeem the impounded vehicles, Ouano said that car and motorcycle owners should present the OR/CR (official receipt/certificate of registration) and the citation ticket to his office.
Ouano said they have observed a significant decrease in the number of vehicles violating the anticounterflow measure. As of February 21, CCTO has impounded at least 400 motorcycles, 30 private cars, 10 taxis and eight jeepneys.