Parking in front of churches, hospitals, schools, and even near fire hydrants is now strictly prohibited in Manila, Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada warned on Tuesday.
Estrada has directed the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau to implement this new rule immediately, to serve as a lesson to irresponsible vehicle owners.
“All vehicles we see parked or blocking the entrances and exits of schools, churches, and hospitals will be towed away immediately, and of course those blocking access to fire hydrants,” the mayor said.
Estrada recounted a few occasions where he personally saw vehicles parked right at the sidewalk and blocking fire hydrants. This, he said, is a dangerous practice because it prevents firefighters from easily accessing the water sources during fires.
“You can’t park near a fire hydrant for safety reasons,” Estrada stressed.
“Leaving free and clear access to a fire hydrant minimizes the time required to respond to a fire. The first priority for fire fighters is the protection of human life,” he also said.
The MTPB has since been putting up “No Parking” signs around the perimeters of schools, hospitals, places of worships and in every available fire hydrant in the city, according to traffic bureau chief Dennis Alcoreza.
The immediate vicinities of these institutions and similar establishments frequented by a huge number of people should be cleared at all times to enable firefighters, police, and other emergency units to respond faster to any eventuality, Alcoreza explained.
Signs like “No Parking, Fire Hydrant” will also be hung on all fire hydrants, he added.
Following intensified anti-illegal vendor and road clearing operations last year, Estrada has ordered MTPB to enforce a citywide anti-illegal parking campaign, from major and secondary roads up to barangay streets, to address the city’s worsening traffic problem.
The anti-illegal parking operation, which started on January 11, has seen dozens of illegally parked vehicles impounded. MTPB enforcers also put wheel clamps on the erring vehicles as mandated by Ordinance 8109.
Owners of towed light vehicles are fined P3,800, which rises to P5,000 for medium-sized vehicles such as vans and SUVs, and P8,000 for heavy vehicles such as trucks. Jeepney owners are fined P2,800, and P900 for all wheel-clamped vehicles.