By Chito Chavez Plagued by various obstructions on major roads and inner streets, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has stressed the need for the local government units (LGU) to stamp their authority to ease traffic congestion woes by creating impounding areas for towed illegally parked vehicles. With the ever increasing number of vehicles using limited roadways, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año cited this necessity to reinforce and sustain the government’s efforts in clearing roads of obstructions. DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año (PCOO / MANILA BULLETIN) Infuriated by errant drivers, Año said the lawbreakers should suffer the consequences since illegal parking has been the major cause of the worsening traffic congestion. It is, therefore, incumbent upon cities and municipalities to designate impounding areas for the safekeeping of towed vehicles,” said Año. Through Memorandum Circular 2020-031, Año said cities and towns are mandated to set up impounding areas for the safekeeping of illegally parked vehicles as well as those involved in road accidents or breakdowns. He  also called on local Sanggunians to pass ordinances specifying guidelines on towing, impounding and releasing of impounded vehicles and prescribing corresponding penalties. The DILG chief noted that such ordinances should be consistent with national laws and policies, and shall not be unreasonable or discriminatory. Año said the latest directive supplements Memorandum Circular 2019-121 issued by the Department last July, mandating local governments to reclaim roads and revoke parking permits of private vehicles on public roads. Furthermore, Section 16 of the Local Government Code provides police powers to local governments to regulate the use of roads, direct traffic, and remove obstructions. DILG Undersecretary and spokesman Jonathan Malaya also mentioned that tricycles apprehended by LGUs for operating in national highways should also be brought to these impounding areas. “With Road Clearing 2.0 and the prohibition of tricycles in national highways, all LGUs should have the necessary facilities to implement these directives. And this includes tow trucks and impounding areas,” Malaya said. Early last year, the DILG with the transportation and public works departments also issued Joint MC 2018-001, which directs local governments to classify roads and impose speed limits. “Ang nais lang naman po natin ay magkaroon ng kaayusan sa ating mga lansangan at masiguro ang kaligtasan ng mga motorista, mga mananakay at ng publiko (We want order on the roads to ensure the safety of the motorists and commuters),” concluded Malaya.