Tuesday, October 07, 2008 Anti-people, says solon on city’s towing system
TWO congressmen questioned the vehicle towing policy of the Cebu City Government that has made life difficult for their constituents.
Rep. Antonio V. Cuenco (Cebu City South) yesterday urged motorists’ organizations, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) and other aggrieved parties to submit to him a position paper against the city ordinance that allows City Traffic Operations and Management (Citom) to enter into a contract with a private towing firm.
“This towing system is anti-people. This towing idea is subject to the whims and caprices of the City Government and Citom. The motorists are being harassed by a private entity even though they are paying road user’s tax,” Cuenco said.
Cuenco said he will support people who want the towing system stopped.
Legality
For his part, Rep. Pablo John Garcia (Cebu, 3rd district) said the towing ordinance must be reviewed to determine its legality to contract a private towing firm.
Road Warriors Towing and Motor Services, a towing service contractor for Citom, is reportedly owned by Vicente Go whom Mayor Tomas Osmeña admitted in public as his best friend.
Garcia said that if a motorcycle of a minimum wage earner is towed and he will be obliged to pay the P1,600 penalty, it’s like giving up a six days’ worth of salary.
“It’s really exorbitant. The people can’t help but wonder whether this towing ordinance is really to solve the traffic problem or is just a business venture,” Garcia said.
Explanation sought
Garcia said the City Government and Citom has the obligation to tell the public who benefited from this towing business, especially that Citom only receive 15 percent share of the penalties.
Garcia said his constituents who came to Cebu were victimized by the towing activities. He described it as unfair because the City Government has failed to provide ample parking area for motorists.
According to Garcia, it’s okay to enforce traffic laws such as no stopping and no parking in busy streets. It is another thing if traffic law enforcement becomes oppressive and has turned into a business undertaking.
Garcia said that if a private business firm is given the authority to tow, it’s possible that they will focus on increasing the number of towed vehicles to increase income rather than disciplining and educating the motorists. (EOB
