Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Romando Artes announced on Thursday, Nov. 14, that the revised guidelines on the towing and impounding of vehicles in Metro Manila will be implemented starting next year.
During the Metro Manila Council (MMC) meeting held yesterday, Artes said the council has approved the revised guidelines contained in MMDA Regulation No. 24-004 which aims to professionalize and harmonize towing and impounding procedures of illegally parked and stalled vehicles in the National Capital Region (NCR).
"We want to professionalize the towing services due to numerous complaints regarding practices of towing operators. The revised guidelines aim to streamline the towing process, enhance the regulation on towing and impounding of illegally parked and stalled vehicles, ensuring that they are conducted fairly and transparently while protecting the rights of vehicle owners,” Artes explained.
With the revised guidelines, owners of stalled vehicles now have the option to transport their vehicles to their homes, auto repair shops, or gas stations where repairs can be made.
Stalled vehicles used to be automatically impounded and transported to the Tumana impounding site in Marikina.
A new tariff system based on distance was also included in the revisions.
Five on five
Artes explained the agency will also tap five towing companies to accommodate the five sectors of Metro Manila: North, South, East, West, and Central. The winners will be determined through a bidding process.
"These guidelines shall apply to all towing services and trucks operating in Metro Manila including those operated and/or owned by government agencies or instrumentalities,” Artes said.
“It shall also include, among others, tow trucks operated or owned by motor vehicle repair shops, business establishments, transport groups, public utility companies and private clubs, groups or associations,” he added.
Winning companies must also present a series of requirements to ensure transparency, accountability, and organization in their operations such as a Certificate of Completion issued by the MMDA for the following training courses for every tow truck personnel: Basic Traffic Rules and Regulations; Basic Road Safety and Troubleshooting; and Land Transportation, Franchising, and Regulatory Board Franchise (yellow plate)/provisionary authority.
All towing companies must be registered with the MMDA.
The tow trucks of the winning towing service companies must be in excellent running condition and must be equipped with radios and/or cell phones, and other required devices such as a Global Positioning System (GPS), dash cam, and QR Code; schedule of towing rates posted on the tow truck; and a working speedometer.