Police seek amendment of Baguio’s towing ordinance

The Baguio City Police Office has proposed amendments on the Towing Ordinance of Baguio City.
In his letter to the city council, BCPO Director Allen Rae F. Co commented on the term “city towing task force,” clarifying that there is no actual task force established. Rather, it is the City Engineering Office that is removing obstructing vehicles along the roads in the absence of a towing company.
He suggested using the term “authorized city government office” to aptly refer either to the CEO or any office authorized to undertake the towing. 
Co also suggested adding the term “motorcycle” in the definition of terms to imply that any two-wheeled vehicle will be towed when parked along public roads and impeding the flow of traffic or causing traffic hazards.
He proposed the inclusion of towing fees for erring motorcycle owners worth P500 for the first four kilometers with an additional charge of P50 for each succeeding kilometer. 
Section 4 of the ordinance (authority to remove and impound) mentions “city parking management office” as one of the authorized offices to remove an obstructing vehicle from the road.
Co suggested for the creation of a City Traffic and Transportation Management Office (CTTMO). He said name CTTMO is more appropriate as its scope encompass traffic and transportation, parking, and other related matters. 
Section 18 of the ordinance states that “Towing without the presence of a police officer or duly deputized enforcer shall be considered carnapping,” Co wants the words “duly deputized enforcer” removed to ensure the prevention of any possible carnapping incident by exclusively authorizing police officers who are trained in dealing with criminal acts including carnapping.
Another proposed amendment is the inclusion of a five-minute waiting time for the vehicle owner to remove his/her vehicle from where it is parked. Under the amendment, any unattended illegally parked vehicle will be towed if the owner fails to appear after five minutes of waiting by the towing personnel. – Jordan G. Habbiling