• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The clamping and towing operations of the Metro Towing Services (MTS) in Bacolod City can resume any time after the Sangguniang Panlungsod approved Feb. 7 its application for re-accreditation.
Councilor Al Victor Espino, chairperson of the SP Committee on Transportation and Traffic, told the Negros NOW Daily that under the memorandum of agreement entered into by the city government and MTS in November last year, the MOA “shall be automatically renewed for one year, or up to Dec. 31, 2024,” upon renewal of the MTS’ accreditation.
The MTS’ operation was halted after the MOA’s term ended Dec. 31 last year.
Espino told his colleagues during their session this afternoon that MTS remitted P149,723 as the city’s share in the clamping, and about P604,000 in towing/impounding fees for the two-month operations.
He said that under the MOA, the city has a monthly share, after net expenses, of 25 percent from the collection of towing fees, and 100 percent in clamping/impounding dues.
MTS collects P1,500 in towing fee from owners of cars, jeepneys, all motorized and three-wheeled vehicles weighing 4,500 kilograms and below, for the first four kilometers, and an additional rate of P200 per kilometer.
For clamped delivery vans, trucks, and other vehicles weighing between 4,501 to 7,500 kilograms, the towing rate is P2,500 for the first four kilometers, and an additional P200 each succeeding kilometer; while owners or operators of buses, trucks, heavy equipment, and other vehicles weighing 7,501 kilograms and above, the towing fee is P4,500, as per the MOA.
Under City Ordinance 1035, any vehicle may be towed at any time if parked in tow-away zones, like in the loading and unloading zones for PUVs, within six meters or any intersection or curved lane, in front of all authorized public and private driveways, on designated bicycle lanes;
Within four meters of driveways or entrances to any fire station and hospital, within four meters of fire hydrants, on pedestrian crosswalks, on the sidewalks, paths, and alleys not intended for parking, and on any bridges and at the foot of any bridge.
Espino, meanwhile, said he will talk to the management of MTS on the appeal of Councilor Thaddy Sayson for the possible lowering of the P1,500 towing fee for trisikads.
Councilor Celia Flor also asked for an updated list of national roads and highways in Bacolod where parking is automatically not allowed, and other concerned areas, for widest dissemination to the public. | CGC
