THE 21ST City Council on Tuesday approved the ordinance authorizing the use of a wheel clamp or tire lock on illegally parked vehicles.
The ordinance titled “Wheel Clamping of Illegally Parked Vehicles Ordinance of Davao City” is a separate provision in Article 10 of Ordinance No. 0334-12, Series of 2012, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Transport and Traffic Code of Davao City.
Councilor Luna Acosta, committee chair on peace and public safety, told reporters the ordinance will deter illegal parking that obstructs the flow of traffic, especially in major thoroughfares.
“It is an additional tool to discipline vehicle owners and to help address the establishments affected by traffic,” she said.
The ordinance authorized the CTTMO to declare streets within the territorial jurisdiction of Davao City as “Clamping Zone.” The office will also review the ordinance every three years or whenever deemed necessary.
Designated clamping zones may be increased or decreased depending on the study and proposals of CTTMO, and to be approved by the City Transport and Traffic Management Board.
The initially identified streets include Daang Maharlika Highway from corner R. Castillo up to Lasang Boundary; Sandawa or GE Torres Street from corner Quimpo to corner MacArthur Highway; and Ecoland Drive from corner Quimpo to corner Sandawa.
Provided that an overhead traffic sign indicating “Clamping Zone” will be installed at these identified streets prior to the implementation of this Ordinance.
The CTTMO and Davao City Police Office- Traffic Enforcement Unit is authorized to use wheel clamps or tire locks.
Owners of the illegally parked clamped vehicles will face penalties of P2,000 for light vehicles and P5,000 for trucks and other heavy vehicles.
Whenever a vehicle is found parked at a Clamping Zone, the CTTMO or DCPO-TEU will call the attention of the registered owner, driver, or operator of the vehicle, when available.
If the driver is present, the CTTMO will require the driver to remove his illegally parked vehicle and issue a ticket for illegal parking.
If the owner is absent, the enforcer will clamp the vehicle and leave a ticket in the windshield.
Those who will be found tampering with the seal of the city government, removing the clamp, or causing damage to the clamp will face a fine of P1,000- P3,000.
Acosta said the ordinance will have a pilot study duration in the first quarter of 2026, but procurement of the clamps and tire locks will start before 2025 ends.
Photo courtesy of PNA
