BACOLOD City – The Bacolod Traffic and Transport Management Department (BTTMD) has begun implementing City Ordinance (CO) No. 09-17-818, as amended by CO No. 1035, Series of 2023, which authorizes the clamping of illegally parked or stalled vehicles in the city.
The enforcement started last week under the administration of Mayor Greg Gasataya, who assumed office on June 30.
Atty. Reuben Mikhail Sabig, head of the BTTMD, reported that as of September 23, five vehicles had already been clamped along B.S. Aquino Drive, an area where Riverside Medical Center and The Doctor’s Hospital are located.
Sabig explained that vehicles were clamped to ease traffic congestion and ensure that emergency lanes near the hospitals remain accessible.
Under the ordinance, violators face fines of P600 for light vehicles, P800 for medium vehicles, and P1,000 for heavy vehicles. In cases where no driver or owner is present, BTTMD personnel leave a citation ticket along with instructions on how to request unclamping and settle the corresponding penalties.
“If no one is around, we leave a citation and instruction note on how to coordinate with BTTMD for unclamping and payment. For incidents that happen at night, we also provide a contact number so traffic enforcers can immediately respond,” Sabig explained.
The BTTMD currently has 10 clamping devices, with another 10 expected to arrive following the city’s recent purchase.
For now, towing will not yet be implemented due to the absence of a tow truck. Sabig said the city is in the process of procuring its own towing vehicle after it chose not to renew the contract with its previous accredited service provider, Metro Towing Services.
“The city will acquire its own tow truck not for profit, but to ensure that vehicles involved in accidents or emergencies can be properly managed,” Sabig added./PN
