Manila opts to use tire locks vs illegal parking

The Manila city government will start using wheel clamps next week on illegally parked vehicles after private towing services were suspended amid mounting complaints of abuse.

Vice Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso said city traffic marshals will be putting a wheel clamp or tire lock on a vehicle cited for a parking violation, and the vehicle’s owner or driver will have to pay P900 for its release.

“[Wheel clamping] is more difficult for violators,” Domagoso told the Inquirer on Friday, noting that it can also obstruct traffic. “That is why I opted to tap towing [services] because it removes the obstruction.”

“But we listened to the complaints and we suspended the abusive towing companies. However, we still need to instill discipline on the streets for the people’s convenience,” said Domagoso, who also heads the Manila Traffic Council.

The city government currently has nearly 100 tire locks for this purpose, he added. Erika Sauler