BACOLOD City – The Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO) holds the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) responsible for the absence of traffic signs on the national roads covered by the city’s parking regulations.
Jose Antonio Robello, deputy officer-in-charge of BTAO, said they have put red and yellow paint markings in the tow-away zones starting yesterday as part of the implementation of City Ordinance (CO) No. 818.
Earlier, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Negros Occidental Chapter called for clarification on how the city’s traffic office implements CO No. 818, citing that it is not proper to tow vehicles on roads without markings and signage, which would inform motorists of the regulation.
Robello said they were not able to put up markings and signage because some areas fall under the authority of the DPWH.
“Because Lacson Street and other national roads are the responsibility of the DPWH,” he cited.
He added that they piloted placing markings on Lacson Street, along the areas of 15th and 16th, where the BTAO office is located.
But Robello noted that they are now coordinating with the DPWH on how they can help the agency set up road signs all over the city.
Here, the BTAO deputy officer-in-charge renewed the call for the public’s patience, as it could take them time to finish painting all the markings for tow-away zones.
Robello hopes that they can finish faster with the aid of DPWH.
Under the ordinance, red markings mean absolute tow-away for 24 hours a day, seven days a week, while yellow markings indicate a regulated tow-away zone or no parking between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday to Friday only.
The implementation of the said ordinance started in November last year, with Metro Towing Services accredited by the city to tow the apprehended vehicles./PN
