Metro mayors' council hikes fines for vehicles stalled along EDSA

By Mike Frialde (The Philippine Star) Updated December 17, 2010 

MANILA, Philippines – The Metro Manila Council (MMC), the policy-making body of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), has passed a resolution increasing the penalty for vehicles stalled along EDSA and major Metro roads from the current P200 to as much as P3,000.

MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino said vehicles stalled along EDSA and those illegally parked along major roads contribute to traffic congestion, especially during the holiday rush.

“These vehicles get stalled in the roads because most probably, their engines are not properly maintained. We are only hoping that (with the increase in fines) motorists, including private utility vehicle (PUV) operators, would be more responsible in maintaining the roadworthiness of their motor vehicles,” Tolentino said.

Under the previous MMDA Regulation 96-003, PUV operators or owners of private vehicles are fined P200 if their vehicles stall on major roads. For illegally parked vehicles, owners are charged with obstruction, which entails a fine of P150.

During a meeting at the Muntinlupa city hall last Tuesday, the MMC – comprising Metro Manila’s 17 mayors – agreed to increase the P200 fine to P1,500 for light vehicles; P2,500 for medium-sized and P3,000 for heavy vehicles such as trucks and lorries.

Tolentino said the increased fines will be added to the regular towing fees imposed on the owner of the stalled vehicle. For trucks with gross capacity weight of 4,000 kilos and above, the corresponding towing fee is P1,200 for the first four kilometers and P200 for every succeeding kilometer.

Cars, jeeps, and pick-up vans having less than 4,000-kilo gross weight are charged a P800 towing fee for the first four kilometers and P200 for every succeeding kilometer.

“The fines and towing fees shall be paid within three days from the date of the apprehension and towing, otherwise a daily impounding fee will be imposed on the owner of the towed vehicle,” Tolentino said.

According to the MMDA, the owner of a towed vehicle that remains unclaimed at the MMDA impounding area will be charged P40 per day. On the fourth month, owners of unclaimed towed vehicles will be charged P60 per day. On the fifth month , owners of unclaimed towed vehicles will be charged P80 per day by the MMDA.