BACOLOD City – The city government here is pushing for a pay parking scheme through an application on mobile phones.
Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said during his radio program “Isugid kay Mayor” on Sunday, Feb. 25, that the city council is now studying this proposal.
“We might introduce an app through the cellular phone nga maka-pa-reserve ka sang parking nga makabayad kag sigurado nga maka park dira,” the mayor stated.
He added that the city will be doing a dry run to see whether it will work or not.
It was learned that most of the lawyers who have court hearings in the Hall of Justice (HOJ) have no choice but to park along Gatuslao Street because the HOJ parking area is full.
The lawyers were not exempted from the implementation of the city’s traffic ordinances, particularly on illegal parking violations and towing.
Several of their vehicles have been cited recently for which they have religiously paid, based on records by the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO).
But they have also asked the city to provide them with a parking area so as not to violate the regulations and be apprehended again.
Benitez, in reply to their call, said that the Ayala Malls Capitol Central has assured the city that they are processing their documents for the expansion of their parking area, which is near the HOJ.
Violators of City Ordinance (CO) No. 338, which prohibits public utility vehicles parked at illegal terminals and private vehicles, motorcycles, and tricycles parked in the streets and sidewalks, carinderias, and others, will have a corresponding fine.
Corresponding penalties will be imposed as well for those in violation of CO No. 1035, which established the tow-away zones on various streets in this city.
Patrick Lacson, BTAO head, said most vehicles being towed were motorcycles.
This is because Metro Towing Services, a private firm commissioned by the city, has only three towing vehicles. Motorcycles are easier to hoist, and they can tow about 15 at a time, Lacson explained./PN
