PNP to get tough on illegal parking violations

March 11, 2019

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday warned the public that they will be serious in their campaign against illegal parking.

PNP Director General Oscar Albayalde said now that they have signed a memorandum of agreement with the transportation department, they will enforce it strictly.

“We would like to warn the public also that we will be serious in illegal parking. We will issue tickets. If you illegal(ly) park again, we will issue again a ticket even though the MMDA (Metro Manila Development Authority) has no contact policy,” said Albayade in a press conference in Camp Crame.

“And we've talked with the chief of LTO (Land Transportation Office) with regards to violations like that,” he added.

Albayalde said it will be hard for motorists to register their vehicles if they have not settled their offenses.

He said they are researching if there is  a existing presidential decree on the use of sirens and blinkers.

Albayalde hopes the system of “non-appearance” should be removed when someone is registering their car.

“Every time that you will register your vehicles, there will be an inspection. Remove non-appearance, non-appearance,” he said.

Albayalde also discussed the issue of tinted cars with Transportation Ssecretary Arthur Tugade.

“Those who have so much tint in their cars that you cannot see what is inside and we have the ...law on the use of cellphone, ” said Albayalde in questioning the law.

“Even the seatbelt law... you cannot see if the person inside is wearing a seatbelt or not,” he said.

Albayalde said this is the start of the PNP to coordinate ''between and among the concerned (transport) agencies.” 

The agreement, with the support of the Department of Interior and Local Government will strengthen the enforcement capabilities of the Inter-Agency Council for traffic or I-ACT.

Albayalde, in his statement, said the PNP-Highway Patrol Group started deploying personnel composed of 25 police commissioned officer, 275 police non-commissioned officer, 24 mobile cars and 82 motorcycle units to address traffic in the city and conduct nationwide crackdown on colorum vehicles.

For his part, Tugade said they will give the comfortable life President Rodrigo Duterte wants through “enforcement and discipline on the road”.

“We will inculcate that comfortable life through enforcement and discipline on the road, and through proper compliance of the law,” Tugade said in his speech.

According to Chief Superintendent Roberto Fajardo, chief of the PNP Highway Patrol Group, now that it’s a joint operation, they will be strict and will not tolerate violators.

Fajardo said politicians who will use sirens and blinkers will not receive warnings. Instead the Highway Patrol Group will implement the law, he said.

He also asked for the help of the local government in the clearing of main thoroughfares of illegal parking.

“Now it's time to put a stop and we will do it together with your help. Let’s work together,” said Fajardo.

The transport department said they will take the lead through the designation of a chief of I-ACT Task Force, which will be responsible for deploying the Highway Patrol Group and logistical support.

Furthermore, an Inter-Agency Technical Working Group shall be established within 30 days upon the effectivity of the Commitment to draft the implementing guidelines. Ella Dionisio/DMS