AT LEAST 20 impounded vehicles, including both motorcycles and cars, have been retrieved from the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (Team) between May 2 and Friday, June 13, 2025. This comes as the agency’s amnesty program continues ahead of its July 31 deadline.
The amnesty program, which began on May 2, offers vehicle owners a chance to reclaim their impounded units by paying a significantly reduced storage fee of only P1,000, in addition to their pending violations.
“Our amnesty program is ongoing, allowing owners to retrieve vehicles impounded from Dec. 23 onwards. This program will continue until July, giving owners three months to claim their vehicles,” said Hyll Retuya, head of Team.
Retuya noted that the program has been proceeding well, with many vehicles already claimed, though the number is still lower than they had hoped.
He reiterated his call for vehicle owners to avail themselves of this one-time offer, warning that this might be their last opportunity to retrieve their units.
“I’m calling on owners of impounded motorcycles or vehicles to please claim them from our team, as this is their last chance to benefit from the reduced fee of P1,000,” he said.
According to Retuya, many owners have inquired about the program, but some still await necessary documents, such as proof of ownership in cases where the claimant is not the registered owner.
The program has achieved a low retrieval rate so far, partly because some owners have lost interest or find their vehicles no longer usable.
Retuya further explained that the City’s amnesty program specifically covers only the storage fees, which have long burdened vehicle owners.
Under City Ordinance 16-2025-1945, vehicle owners only need to pay a flat storage fee of P1,000, on top of any fines for traffic violations. The ordinance waives the accumulated daily storage charges, which have historically prevented many from claiming their vehicles.
Team aims to have at least half of the 1,428 vehicles impounded between 2019 and 2023 reclaimed within the three-month amnesty period.
After the amnesty ends, unclaimed vehicles will be sold at a public auction.
“This amnesty program is a one-time opportunity, and unclaimed vehicles will be sold at public auction. We will process the change of ownership or Special Power of Attorney (SPA) and the vehicle’s Official Receipt and Certificate of Registration (OR/CR) to facilitate the sale of these vehicles. Usually, those who buy them will register and use them,” said Retuya.
The impounded vehicles were seized for various traffic violations, including driving without a valid license; operating unregistered or improperly registered vehicles; unauthorized modifications; illegal parking; reckless driving; and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Some of these vehicles have been in storage for decades, with records showing that some were impounded as early as the 1990s, Retuya added.
Those who fail to claim their vehicles risk losing them to a public auction after the amnesty period ends. / YVON MARATAS, BENEDICTO COLLEGE INTERN