The Metro Manila Development Authority said it is formulating new guidelines on towing operations of accredited firms to prevent abuses and further improve and professionalize their services.
In a meeting with owners and operators of accredited towing companies last Friday, MMDA chairman Danilo Lim said they will come up with the new Implementing Rules and Regulations on towing operations next month.
“We now have the draft and getting inputs from various groups. If they [towing firms] will not comply, there will be a problem on their accreditations,” said Lim during the meeting held at the MMDA central office in Makati City.
The MMDA came up with the decision to create a new guidelines following numerous complaints from motorists about the illegal activity and abuses involving towing personnel in cahoots with some erring officers of the agency.
"We need to professionalize because we are receiving many complaints. Some of them wearing shorts, or maybe under the influence of drugs. Some engaged in a modus with the help of men from the MMDA," said Lim.
The MMDA recently suspended indefinitely the accreditation of one of the units of Iron Wing Towing Co. after its crew members allegedly flagged down and hauled off a closed delivery van.
The revocation of a tow company’s accreditation effectively grounds its operations. MMDA has the authority to screen, approve, and revoke the accreditation of all towing service providers in Metro Manila.
Previously, MMDA also indefinitely suspended unit number 145 of Iron Wing Towing Co. over a similar complaint of illegal activities from a motorist.
In June last year, 54 towing personnel had tested positive for drugs, while 24 others were also found out to be using drugs last January.
Towing personnel found to be using illegal drugs were immediately terminated by their respective companies and were put on blacklist and are now banned from entering the MMDA impounding area.
Apart from drug abuse, some towing personnel were also engaged in extortion.
An average of 50 vehicles are being towed daily and redeemed at the impounding site, but according to MMDA, the number jumped to 100 vehicles hauled at the height of the operations on Mabuhay Lanes, the alternate routes to private vehicles avoiding the congested Epifanio de los Santos Avenue.
The MMDA is also looking into the possibility of developing one of its impounding sites to accommodate the increasing numbers of apprehended out-of-line and colorum public utility vehicles.
At present, there are 30 accredited towing firms while more than 100 tow trucks operate in the metropolis.