DPWH to rid illegal parking in S. Leyte highways

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, May 31 -- The Land Transportation Office (LTO) will deputize personnel of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) field office here to help rid illegally- parked vehicles in all national highways in the province. 

Since it is the mandate of LTO to apprehend illegally-parked vehicles along highways, the deputization of DPWH personnel will legalize the latter’s action. 

"We will be coordinating with the local government as to the specific streets and areas where motorist can park their vehicles and where they are not allowed to," said Rouella May Altar, DPWH-SLDEO road right of way agent. 

Deputized personnel are authorized to confiscate driver's license and plate number of illegally-parked vehicles. It will be turned over to the transportation office. 

The district office will acquire towing trucks to remove illegally parked vehicles, according to Altar. 

Erring vehicle owners will be fined for the first and second offense. If they commit the same offense for the third time, their license will be revoked. 

“It is sad to note that while DPWH widened the roads, the expanded areas are being used as parking areas," Altar added. The district office will have yet to submit the list of identified DPWH personnel to be deputized by LTO. 

The DPWH main office has directed regional and district offices to make sure that all national highways are free of barriers or structures to facilitate traffic and ensure safety of motorists.

As an initial step, five key officials from the Southern Leyte district engineering office attended an orientation on road safety and traffic rules and regulations on May 23 in Tacloban City led by LTO. (DPWH-PR/PNA)