Coverage and accreditation requirement
- All towing companies operating in Metropolitan Manila must apply for accreditation with the MMDA under Section 1.
- Tow trucks or vehicles covered include privately or government owned towing vehicles, whether with or without public franchises.
- Coverage includes towing vehicles owned/accredited by motor vehicle repair shops, business establishments, transport groups, public utility companies, and private automobile clubs under Section 1.
- Accredited towing companies must strictly adhere to: existing laws and guidelines mandated in MMDA ORDINANCE NO. 78-03 (as amended by Ordinance No. 03, Series of 1992 (No. 78-03-A)), MMDA Regulation No. 96-003, series of 1996, and MMDA Regulation No. 03-001, Series of 2003; the guidelines in MMDA Resolution No. 02-33 (as amended by MMDA Resolution No. 02-52); and the rules in this Circular under Section 1.
Required tow truck marking and colors
- MMDA accredited tow trucks must have the standard color of white with blue hood under Section 2.
- The MMDA Accreditation Number, LTO plate number, and the phrase “For complaint, suggestions and inquiries, call MMDA Hotline 136” must be permanently painted on both sides, front and back bumpers of the tow truck under Section 2.
- Tow vehicles must keep an authenticated copy of the valid MMDA Accreditation Certificates and must present it whenever required under Section 2.
Impounding areas and inspection authority
- All applicants for accreditation of tow trucks or vehicles must establish MMDA approved impounding areas under Section 3.
- If MMDA approved impounding areas are not established, all impounded vehicles towed by MMDA accredited companies must be impounded only at the ULTRA Impounding Area under Section 3.
- Impounding areas set up by MMDA accredited companies must be approved by the MMDA prior to use under Section 3.
- Impounding areas must be properly insured and have an efficient system to ensure the safety of the towed vehicles under Section 3.
- The MMDA has authority to conduct inspection of the impounding areas under Section 3.
Towing fees, fines, and payment deadlines
- Fees and charges are applied in accordance with MMDA ORDINANCE NO. 78-03, as amended by Ordinance No. 03, Series of 1992 (No. 78-03-A), MMDA Regulation No. 96-003, series of 1996, and MMDA Regulation No. 03-001, Series of 2003 under Section 4.
- Any operator of a public utility motor vehicle or owners of a private motor vehicle, whether natural or juridical, who stalls on any public road, street or thoroughfare within Metropolitan Manila must pay a fine of Two Hundred (P200.00) Pesos under Section 4.
- In addition to that fine, a standard towing fee is collected by both government and private entities under Section 4, using the following rates:
- For Trucks with gross capacity weight of 4,000 kilos and above: P1,200.00 for the first four kms. and P200.00 for every succeeding km.
- For Cars, jeeps and pick-ups with gross capacity weight of less than 4,000 kilos: P800.00 for the first four kms. and P200.00 for every succeeding km.
- Any driver who illegally parks a motor vehicle on any public road, street or thoroughfare in Metro Manila must pay a fine of FIVE HUNDRED (P500.00) PESOS under Section 4.
- In addition to that fine, a standard towing fee is collected by both government and private entities under Section 4, using the following rates:
- For Trucks with gross capacity weight of 4,000 kilos and above: P1,400.00 for the first four kms. and P400.00 for every succeeding km.
- For Cars, jeeps and pick-ups with gross capacity weight of less than 4,000 kilos: P1,000.00 for the first four kms. and P400.00 for every succeeding km.
- Time of payment applies to both fines and towing fees: payment must be made within three (3) days from the date the vehicle was towed and impounded under Section 4.
- If the operator or owner fails to pay within three (3) days, an impounding fee of P80.00/day is imposed under Section 4.
- If the vehicle is not redeemed by the operator or owner within one (1) month from the date of apprehension, the vehicle is sold at public auction on the first Monday of the succeeding month under Section 4.
- Auction proceeds are applied to accumulated charges (fine, towing and impounding fees), and any excess is returned to the operator or owner under Section 4.
Implementation supervision and coordination
- The MMDA Traffic and Transport Management Office (TTMO) supervises all towing operations within Metropolitan Manila under Section 5.
- The TTMO must ensure proper implementation of the guidelines under Section 5.
- The TTMO must immediately conduct the inventory and inspections of all impounding areas owned and/or accredited by the MMDA under Section 5.
- The MMDA TTMO must coordinate with all local government units of Metropolitan Manila to ensure proper implementation of towing regulations under MMDA Resolution No. 01-10, series of 2001, entitled “urging the Local Government Units of Metro Manila to Enact an Ordinance Prescribing Uniform rules and Regulations on Towing and Impounding Operations” under Section 5.
Transitory compliance period
- All currently accredited towing companies are granted fifteen (15) days to comply with the requirements under Section 5.
Amendment, revocation, and effectivity
- All issuances inconsistent with this Circular are amended or revoked accordingly under Section 6.
- MMDA Memorandum Circular No. 09, s. 2010 takes effect immediately under Section 7.