By Aerol John Pateña/PNA
MANILA — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will be implementing higher fines against illegally parked vehicles starting Jan. 7, 2019.
This, as the MMDA issued Resolution No. 18-008, series of 2018, which increases fines for attended illegally parked vehicles to PHP1,000 from PHP200, unattended illegally parked vehicles to PHP2,000 from PHP500, and obstruction of public roads to PHP1,000 from PHP150.
“An unattended illegally parked motor vehicle is an illegally-parked motor vehicle, which does not fall under the definition of an attended illegally parked motor vehicle and may be apprehended twice in a day after the lapse of three hours from the time of the first apprehension. Such motor vehicle may be subject to towing and impounding as the circumstances may warrant,” the resolution read.
The imposition of the higher fines was aimed at instilling discipline among motorists and easing traffic congestion on roads across Metro Manila, MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia said.
This will cover public roads, except in subdivisions and roads covered by existing parking ordinances.
“We really need to implement these fines for motorists to be disciplined. Higher fines against illegally parked vehicles will lead to easing congestion of roads that can be utilized by motorists,” Garcia said in a press briefing on Wednesday.
Motorists are prohibited from parking their vehicles on all national highways, including Mabuhay lanes, the MMDA official said.
The resolution was approved by the MMDA on Dec. 7 and was published in two newspapers of general publication on Dec. 12.
The MMDA still needs to implement modifications on its ticketing collection system to be aligned with the new policy.
The Metro Manila Council, which is the policymaking body of the MMDA, approved the imposition of higher fines against illegal parking last August.
