BAGUIO CITY – The City Council approved on first reading a proposed ordinance prescribing for the rules and regulations in the implementation of the towing of motor vehicles in the city.
The ordinance authored by Councilors Benny Bomogao, Faustino Olowan and Michael Lawana stated the purpose of the local legislative measure is to provide for a regulated towing system of damaged, abandoned, immobilized, illegally parked, or disabled motor vehicles on public right-of-way or on private or public property within the city’s streets.
The ordinance added any motor vehicle parked on any of the highways, roads or streets, public right-of-way or other public properties in the city, which is parked in violation of any provision of the law, or of any ordinance of the city, may be removed under the provisions of the proposed local legislative measure.
The City Director of the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO), the chief of traffic, traffic task force of the city, Department of Public works and Highways, City Engineer’s Office or City Parking Management Office are authorized to remove any vehicle and removal shall only be done by employees of the local government or by a licensed towing company.
Further, any vehicle removed shall be impounded in a storage facility or on properties controlled by the local government and designated for vehicles impoundment by the city.
On the other hand, any motor vehicle left unattended on private properties within the city may be removed under the provisions of the said regulation and the decision to remove such motor vehicles shall be made by either the property owner or the city after informing the owner.
However, in cases when the owner cannot be reached, yet the motor vehicle is a hindrance to public access, the same can be outrightly towed.
The ordinance claimed the City Engineering Office shall primarily be responsible for the implementation of the pertinent provisions of the measure and that any person or company may be authorized by the city to undertake the business of towing.
The ordinance provided towing license is required for any towing company engaged in the business in the city and applications for towing license shall be submitted to the local chief executive upon the filling up of forms and that a towing license shall only be issued to towing companies that comply with the provisions of the measure.
Under the ordinance, the business and the equipment shall be located within the city, and the business must have tow trucks for heavy and light vehicles, towing equipment, secured storage facilities, be equipped with security measures such as 24/7 security guards closed circuit television cameras, fences among others, and other major requirements as may be determined by the local chief executive.
It added storage facilities for the towing companies must be located within the city or in case these are located in nearby municipalities, they must not be more than 10 kilometers away from the city proper; these shall be owned or leased by the towing company, comply with zoning regulations applicable in the jurisdiction where the facility is located; shall be, at a minimum, enclosed by a secured fence or building, and that the fence shall have a height of a minimum of 6 feet among others.
By Dexter A. See
