VEHICLE owners who would still insist of not paying their parking fees could have their vehicles towed, the City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) warned on Monday, January 6.
CTTMO head Dionisio Abude said there are still motorists, despite earlier reminders, who refused to pay fees for public pay parking zones due to their ignorance on the implementation of an existing city ordinance.
Abude said they are given authority to tow vehicles from motorists who would not pay with the parking fee set by the city, as stated in the Comprehensive Transport and Traffic Code of Davao City.
"Amo i-tow ilang sakyanan hangtod sa ma-settle nila ilang payment," the traffic head told reporters on Monday, January 6, right after the flag raising ceremony at the City Hall of Davao.
(We will tow their vehicles until they will be able to settle their payment.)
He said additional fines await those who would be "hard headed" in paying fees.
Abude also said CTTMO personnel can also tow motorists' vehicles that would violate the public pay parking ordinance.
He said tow trucks are on standby to pick up vehicles from erring motorists.
Abude also said that after three days, the implementation was effective as they only received minimal complaints from motorists, which were immediately addressed.
He said some banks and other big establishments requested them to adjust motorcyles and bike lanes to give space for four wheel vehicles.
The traffic head said he already instructed their 80 personnel assigned in monitoring the parking zones along the streets of San Pedro, Ilustre, Pelayo, Iñigo, Villa Abrille, Monteverde, and Governor Duterte, not to argue with motorists who would not pay the parking fees.
He said vehicle plates will be properly recorded and they are told to visit the CTTMO office.
"Pwede nato sila i-summon or makigstorya nila. After sa summon, if dili gihapon sila mubayad, pwede nato sila ipa-alarm," Abude said.
(We can summon or have a dialogue with them. If they fail to show up after the summon, we will notify the concerned agencies to address the situation.)
Meanwhile, drop-offs on specified minutes are exempted from paying the parking fee. Vehicles staying for more than an hour will be charged during the first hours.
Abude said government officials sought to exempt them from paying parking fees but he said they would have to study their request as their exemption is not included in the traffic code.
"As far as I am concerned, kato ra siguro tong mga muhatag og assistance, call for assistance in emergencies, tagaan nato'g leeway," he said.
(We will give leeway to those vehicles parked to give assistance in emergency situations.)