MMDA gets DILG support vs illegal parking, seeks to privatize towing ops

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) may be closing in on solving Metro Manila’s illegal parking woes with the support of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), as well as privatizing their towing operations in January 2017.

MMDA Officer in Charge (OIC) Thomas M. Orbos was confident that their plan to make barangay officials accountable will materialize soon, thanks to the support of the DILG.

Images grabbed from DILG Central Office Facebook page and MMDA Facebook page

“The problem with towing is that it takes time, it takes resources, it takes space, which becomes also a point of obstruction of traffic,” Orbos said. He added that he has already relayed the problem to Interior Secretary Ismael D. Sueno.

“What we are asking for is for the DILG to help us here [illegal-parking problem]. Besides the filing of charges [at the Office of the Ombudsman], he [Ismael D. Sueno] can suspend barangay officials,” Orbos said.

Orbos also said that they are planning on privatizing towing operations by January 2017, citing numerous complaints about errant personnel of towing firms tied to the MMDA.

“Regulatory [concerns] will still be with us [MMDA] but the service will be privatized,” he added. The MMDA OIC also said a public bidding will be held early next year for private firms interested in being a part of the project.

 

Source: BusinessMirror, Manila Standard