The Metro Manila Development Authority announced on Thursday that it will no longer tow, but will issue citation tickets against illegally parked vehicles along Mabuhay Lanes, which is the alternate routes designated for private vehicles avoiding the congested Epifanio de los Santos Avenue.
MMDA general manager Jose Arturo Garcia Jr. said beginning today (Friday) the crackdown will be conducted from 6 am to 9 pm on the 17 listed Mabuhay lanes or express routes connected to Edsa and roads going to commercial districts and shopping hubs in Metro Manila.
Violators may be charged with at least three citation tickets with corresponding penalty. A fine of P200 for violating the illegal parking rule, P150 for disregarding traffic signs and P150 for obstruction.
“Traffic enforcers are instructed to issue citation ticket to vehicle owners. For unattended vehicles, tickets will be attached to their windshields,” said Garcia in a press conference.
“Motorists who do not have parking space have long been using major thoroughfares and the Mabuhay lanes as their own parking area. This practice has to stop,” he added.
More than a thousand traffic enforcers are tasked to remove vehicles obstructing the traffic flow on Mabuhay lanes.
“This is the agency’s response to hard-headed vehicle owners who defy the MMDA’s illegal parking rules,” said Garcia.
To decrease incidents of corruption and illegal towing activities, the MMDA will also not utilize towing services along Mabuhay lanes but will use them on inner roads upon the request of local government units in Metro Manila.
“There are many complaints about abusive towing firms. We do not want the efforts of our traffic personnel to go to waste because of them,” Garcia said.
Last week, the Metro Manila Council agreed to increase the fine for illegal parking in the metropolis. Fine for attended illegal parked vehicles will be raised from P200 to P1000, while unattended illegal parked vehicles will be increased from P300 to 2,000.
However, the imposition of higher fine will not be enforced yet as the agency officials have yet to meet with MMC’s Special Traffic Committee.
According to Garcia, it is high time for vehicle owners to look for permissible parking areas or be issued with several citation tickets daily.
Their intensified efforts, Garcia explained, is to open up alternative routes for motorists avoiding Edsa, more so with the construction of various infrastructure projects in Metro Manila.
The 17 Mabuhay Lane Routes for private vehicles were identified are Route 1: From Edsa right at West Avenue and take Quezon Avenue, U-turn near Magbanua, right at Timog, right at Tomas Morato, right at E. Rodriguez, left at Gilmore, straight to Granada, right to Pinaglabanan, right at P. Guevarra, left at L. Mencias, right at Shaw Blvd., left at Acacia Lane, right at F. Ortigas, left at P. Cruz, left at F. Blumentrit, left at Coronado, take Mandaluyong – Makati Bridge to destination.
Route 2: From EDSA turn right at West Avenue, right at Del Monte Avenue, left at Sto. Doming or Biak na Bato, right at Amoranto, left at Banawe or D. Tuazon, right at Maria Clara or Dapitan to destination.
Route 3: From North Luzon Expressway exit at Mindanao Avenue Access Ramp, right at Mindanao Avenue, left at Congressional, right at Luzon Avenue, take Bridge crossing Commonwealth Avenue, Katipunan Avenue, C-5 to destination.
Route 4: From Quezon City to Makati take N. Domingo, left at Blumentritt-Kalentong, left at Manalo St., right at Mariano, right at Luna Mencias, right at Shaw Boulevard, left at Acacia Lane, right at F. Ortigas, left at P. Cruz, left at F. Blumentritt, Coronado, take Mandaluyong-Makati Bridge or take Barangka Drive Pantalleon – Estrella Bridge, to destination.
Route 5: From Quezon City to Makati From E. Rodriguez, left at Matimyas – Plaza Noli to Fajardo left at V.G. Cruz, right at Lardizabal, left at M. Dela Fuente, right at Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard, Nagtahan to Pres. Quirino, left at South Superhighway to destination.
Route 6: From North Luzon Expressway right at Balintawak Cloverleaf to EDSA going to Monumento, left at A. De Jesus St. (8th St.), left at C-3, right at A. Bonifacio, take Mayon Avenue, Welcome Rotunda to destination.
Route 7: From EDSA left to Pasay Road then turn right to Makati Ave., straight to Makati- Mandaluyong Bridge right at Francisco, Maysilo to M. Martinez Ave, straight to Gomezville, straight to Hoover, to Wilson, left at Ortigas Ave./Granada, right at Aurora Blvd., then left Hemady, right at E. Rodriguez, left at T. Morato, left at Timog Ave. then right at Quezon Ave., to QMC, right at Visayas Ave., left at Congressional Ave., right at Mindanao Ave.
Route 8: From EDSA right at Banahaw Street, right at Makiling, left at Benitez, then straight at St. Joseph, left Ortigas Ave., to Greenhills shopping Center.
Route 9: From EDSA right at Annapolis, right at Eisenhower, then left Club Filipino, to Ortigas Ave., to Greenhills Shopping Center.
Route 10: From EDSA right at Connecticut, to Ortigas Ave., to Greenhills Shopping Center.
Route 11: From EDSA take Tramo flyover, then right at Andrews Ave., straight to airport road, right at Roxas Blvd., take service road to Redemptorist.
Route 12: From Manila area Along Roxas Blvd. take a U-turn at airport road, take service road to Redemptorist.
Route 13: From Manila area: From Taft Ave., take Ayala Blvd., left at Carlos Palanca to Carriedo street.
Route 14: From Manila area: From Padre Burgos, take Jones Bridge, right Muelle de Blanco Nacional, to Plaza Lacson to Carriedo.
Route 15: From Dapitan Zuki Market: Take AH Lacson Ave., turn left at Tayuman St., then left at Dagupan St., to Divisoria.
Route 16: From Roxas Boulevard right at Claro M. Recto, straight to Divisoria, and
Route 17: From Road -10 left at Moriones St., then right at Dagupan St., to Divisoria.