Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada has further intensified his drive against illegal parking, which he said has become a milking cow for profiteering syndicates.
Estrada will launch his Manila-wide Mapping and No Parking Zone program to more strictly enforce the city’s policies against illegal parking.
“Illegal parking has long been a serious problem, congesting our already congested roads. It is being tolerated and has become the money-making business of criminal syndicates that earn millions from parking fees,” he said.
The mayor said Taft Avenue, United Nations Avenue, Lawton, Mendiola, Morayta and San Miguel are used as “parking lots” by undisciplined vehicle owners.
On September 15, Estrada declared Rizal Avenue as a no-parking zone after impounding 30 illegally parked tricycles, five motorcycles, 15 light vehicles, and two “kuligligs” or motorized pedicabs.
An illegal parking fee collector was also arrested.
The revived anti-illegal parking campaign, the mayor said, will complement the ongoing road and sidewalk clearing drive of the city government.
All major roads and barangay streets are covered by the mapping to ensure that possible alternate routes are not blocked.
The Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau, headed by former city councilor Dennis Alcoreza, implements the anti-illegal parking operation.
“Illegal parking including perpendicular parking and double parking is rampant. Some make money out of this, and generally motorists that have no garages take advantage of lax enforcement of traffic ordinances. Through citywide mapping, we will identify designated parking zones,” Alcoreza pointed out.
The objective, the MTPB chief said, is to deny the vehicle owner any excuse or alibi on why he parked in a non-designated parking area.
Alcoreza warned that violators’ vehicles will be towed or traffic citation tickets will be issued based on the provisions of the Manila Traffic Code and illegal parking regulations of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.
He said they will soon clear Chinatown area of illegally parked cars.
Early last year, the city government put clamps on the wheels of illegally parked vehicles as mandated by Ordinance 8109. Their owners were fined P900.