MANILA — Starting Friday, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will be issuing traffic citation tickets to owners of illegally parked vehicles on Mabuhay Lanes in Metro Manila.
MMDA general manager Jojo Garcia said the crackdown on illegal parking will be conducted on these roads from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
“We need to open up the alternate routes because it is already filled up with illegally parked vehicles. We need to remove them. It’s about time that motorists be able to use these roads,” Garcia said on Thursday during a press conference held at the MMDA office in Makati City.
Violators may be charged with at least three citation tickets with corresponding penalties: a fine of PHP200 for violating the illegal parking rule, PHP150 for disregarding traffic signs, and PHP150 for obstruction.
Traffic personnel will be issuing citation tickets to vehicle owners or these will be attached to windshields of unattended vehicles.
MMDA will also no longer be using its tow trucks along the Mabuhay Lanes but instead use them to clear obstructions on inner roads upon request of the local government units.
“There are many complaints about abusive towing firms. We intend to decrease incidents of corruption and confrontation as well,” Garcia said.
The MMDA official advised motorists that they must now look for permissible parking areas for their vehicles.
The agency will be deploying more than a thousand traffic enforcers to remove the illegal obstructions on the Mabuhay Lanes.
The Mabuhay Lanes consist of 17 routes that are connected to Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (Edsa) and roads going to commercial districts and shopping malls in Metro Manila. (Aerol John Pateña/PNA)
