IN JUST two days, some 128 vehicles have been clamped by the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) for illegal parking on the city streets.
Retired police Maj. Andres Bayarcal, CCTO operations chief, said they have clamped around 32 vehicles that were parked overnight during the first day of their massive clamping operations on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019.
Another 41 vehicles, including a trailer truck, were also clamped by the traffic office on Friday, Aug. 30.
The strict enforcement of City Ordinance (CO) 1657, or the Clamping Ordinance that regulates illegal parking on the streets, was among the directives of CCTO executive director Ricardo Barandog Jr. in order to impose discipline among motorists.
The measure is also in response to a memorandum circular issued by Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, directing all local chief executives to reclaim public roads used for private ends and to rid them of illegal structures and constructions.
It was also included in the directives that President Rodrigo Duterte gave to local officials during his fourth State of the Nation Address last July 22.
Through CO 1657, traffic enforcers in Cebu City are authorized to issue citation tickets and clamp illegally parked vehicles. Implementing the ordinance aims to keep roads, especially main thoroughfares, free of any obstruction.
The first two days of CCTO’s massive clamping operations covered the areas in barangays Hipodromo, Sambag II, San Antonio, Sawang Calero and Pasil.
The CCTO personnel also scoured major thoroughfares such as Osmeña Blvd., V. Rama Ave., C. Padilla St., and the downtown, midtown and uptown areas.
In a separate interview, Ronnie Nadera of CCTO said there were motorists who were issued citation tickets for disregarding traffic signs (DTS).
The violators apprehended for DTS were caught violating the “no stopping,” “no left turn” and “no parking” signs, among others.
Some 40 erring motorists were issued citation tickets on Friday for varying traffic violations.
Nadera said most of the vehicles that were clamped and the drivers issued citation tickets were those that were parked near corners and intersections of the national highway.
He further said that those issued citation tickets will have to pay a fine of P1,000. A P1,500 fine will be imposed on those persons whose vehicles were clamped.
Bayarcal asked motorists to strictly follow traffic rules, especially on parking regulations, as they will continue to intensify their clamping operations. (from PAC of Superbalita Cebu/RTF)