We need more space for congested impounding area — MMDA

MMDA Chairman Atty. Francis Tolentino. Photo courtesy of MMDA’s official Facebook page.

MANILA — Due to the number of colorum and out-of-line vehicles apprehended by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the agency’s impounding area is now congested, an MMDA official said on Monday.

In an interview, Emerson Carlos, MMDA assistant general manager for operations said the impounding area in Tumana, Markina City is now almost full.

Based on the latest count, Crisanto Saruka, head of the MMDA’s Traffic Discipline Office, they have impounded a total of 141 colorum and out of line public utility vehicles along Edsa since the “Oplan Disiplina” campaign started last August 6.”

The apprehended public utility vehicles were composed of 127 public utility buses (PUBs) and 14 Asian Utility vehicles.

As the apprehension continue, the MMDA assistant general manager for operations, admitted that they need more space to accommodate more impounded vehicles.

According to Carlos, the impounding area in Tumana, Markina City is now almost full has to undergo further development and they are also looking for alternative impounding sites.

“Our plan is to expand because the impounding area in Marikina is quite wide, we will just develop it,” he added.

Carlos said the two-hectare impounding site in Marikina has a capacity of 500 vehicles but it is now filled by around 400 impounded jeepneys, taxis, AUVs, and buses unredeemed by owners/operators.

Apart from Marikina, the MMDA has two other impounding areas in Ultra in Pasig City and Libertad in Pasay.

The out-of-line and “colorum” vehicles were apprehended under the agency’s campaign dubbed “Oplan Disiplina” aimed at easing traffic flow on Edsa and other major thoroughfares.

Earlier, MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino said they are looking for alternative impounding sites.