EFFECTIVE today, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña has ordered the impounding of all vehicles, including motorcycles caught counter-flowing.
In an interview with SunStar Cebu, CCTO Operations Chief Francisco Ouano said that Osmeña tasked him to enforce a stricter traffic policy, as the mayor seeks to lessen the number of vehicular accidents in the city and to impose discipline.
Aside from impounding the vehicle, the City will collect charges of P15,000 for trucks, P9,000 for light four-wheeled vehicles and P3,000 for motorcycles, as storage fees for 30 days.
“Once we impound their vehicles, we will also charge them storage fees, which will range from P500 per day for trucks, P300 for cars and P100 for motorcycles,” said Ouano.
Although the existing traffic code of the city only imposes a fine of P500 for those caught counterflowing, Osmeña is set to release an executive order (EO) that will authorize CCTO to impound vehicles.
Osmeña made the announcement yesterday on his Facebook page.
The city mayor was in Manila to attend a hearing of the House of Representatives transportation committee on the proposed measure to regulate motorcycles-for-hire or motorcycle taxis, more commonly known as habal-habal.
“Effective immediately: all vehicles (including motorcycles) caught counterflowing will be impounded for 30 days. There will be no early releases,” read his Facebook post.
Drivers’ abuses
In a phone interview, Osmeña said his directive will focus mostly on motorcycle drivers.
He said that although he cares for the welfare of motorcycle drivers, particularly the drivers of motorcycle taxis, he has to issue the directive to counteract some abusive drivers.
“I’m very kind to them, I even try to give a P5 fine, but now I have observed that they are abusing it. These motorcycle drivers who counterflow, you have to know that there will be no fine for your violation. I don’t need your money but we will impound your vehicles for 30 days,” said Osmeña.
Immediately after receiving the directive, Ouano met with most of the traffic enforcers to relay the mayor’s order.
As of yesterday, the Office of the Mayor has yet to issue the EO.
A motorcycle driver who requested anonymity admitted that there are times he violates the rule on counterflowing.
“Di gyod malikayan usahay nga maka-counterflow ko labi na kung nagdali or naa gyo’y kinahanglan kaayo apason. Unya mas dali man gyod mi maka-counterflow kay gamay raman among motor (Sometimes, I do it when I’m in a hurry. It’s easier to counterflow on a motorbike),” he told SunStar Cebu.
The move gained support from opposition councilors.
Councilor Raymond Garcia said he supports the move as long as it is within the bounds of the law.
“Aside from it, there should be strict enforcement to make sure that it’s effective,” he said.
Councilor Joel Garganera said that motorcycle riders should be cautious on the road as they are prone to accidents.
“I am 100 percent supportive of the move of the mayor. Ang motor makadasmag o madasmagan alkanse pirmi. They should be extra cautious if they’re on the road, and counterflow aggravates traffic and is very dangerous. The penalty is but fitting for these violators. It’s a deterrent,” he said.