The Tagbilaran City government acquired and turned over 15 clamping devices worth P120,000 to the City Traffic Management Office (CTMO) setting in motion the strict implementation of the clamping and towing ordinance in the city.

The CTMO will start to use the clamps against illegally parked vehicles following a seminar on the usage of the devices for the city traffic bureau’s personnel, its chief Tony Samante told DYRD Balita.

He said that city traffic enforcers would likely start to use the clamping devices before the end of the month.

City legislators last week also approved the purchase of a tow truck and has opened bidding for the vehicle.

The CTMO is optimistic that the city ordinance, through the acquisition of the devices and the tow truck, would finally stamp out the city’s longstanding problem of illegal parking.

The city Sangguniang Panlungsod previously withheld the approval of the acquisition of a tow truck citing the need for a thorough review on the importance of the vehicle in implementing the said ordinance.

Although claiming he was not blocking the acquisition, Councilor Dodong Gonzaga questioned the allotment of P1.8 million for the purchase of the said truck, noting that the amount is high considering that the council had not determined then the frequency of its use. (Allen Doydora)