MMDA Adds a New Weapon to Fight Illegal Towing Activities

MANILA: Things are changing and they for sure are changing for good. MMDA is one good example of this change wave that Filipinos are experiencing and are further about to encounter in days to come. As for the latest good deed executed by Metropolitan Manila Development Authority is the introduction of the iTOW app, that will help commuters fight against the illegal towing activities that for months are giving a headache to Filipinos.

This new step by MMDA, after releasing the list of discredited towing vehicles is no less than a blessing for the countrymen as they are now powered to report any sort of illegal towing activity directly to the concerned authority. Well, whoever is behind this mobile app idea is surely a genius, as the application has given the power right in the hands of the public, where they can ask any towing related concern and can also report any unauthorised towing activity to the authority directly. In addition, the motorist can now even keep a track of their towed vehicle with the help of the said app. What's even better is that justice in such cases will now be on fast track with near to zero delays in the judgment process.

Apart from empowering the commuters, the said MMDA app has also revised towing etiquettes. To the long list of changes are now included towing pre-adequates like -

1. From now onwards all the authorised towing agency will be provided with tablets that will link them to MMDA Metrobase.

2. Before going forward to tow a vehicle, the towing guy is first required to click a picture of the vehicle and get it verified from MMDA Metrobase.

3. If the vehicle is seen unattended for 5 minutes, instructions of towing will be generated. Note, if the driver is present inside the wrongly parked vehicle, ticket will be issued and he will be fined with a PhP 500 penalty.

4. After receiving a reference number from the authority, the driver is allowed to go forward with the towing activity.

5. Any future enquiry into the matter can be made easily with the allocated reference number.

6. Also, MMDA also released a list of fix towing rates (for first four kilometres) for accredited towing services which it has made mandatory for towing trucks to display. In the given price chart are included fees for light, medium and heavy vehicles and every extra kilometre (after 4km) will add towing fee by PhP 200.

As for now the said app working area is restricted to Mabuhay Lanes and MMDA Traffic Discipline Office head, Chris Saruce is sure that “all illegal activities can be avoided with the strict implication of the new rules and regulations”.

Apart from working on the mischievous accredited towing truck front, MMDA is busy preparing the Philippines to take on the fury of the soon to arrive rain monster. While on the 'iTOW' app only the future will tell how successful and helpful it proves for the motorists.