MMDA Clearing Operation Group Tows PISTON President George San Mateo’s Jeepney for Illegal Parking

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Wednesday, April 11 towed the passenger jeepney of George San Mateo, the national president of transport group Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) during a sidewalk clearing operation in Quezon City, led by MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim.

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That day, members of the MMDA clearing operation group dismantled basketball courts, and confiscated other traffic obstructions in the streets of Barangay Pinagkaisahan, in Cubao, Quezon City. The affected residents did not resist. However, most of them begged for another chance but the MMDA said the law must be strictly implemented.

In addition, the MMDA also towed several illegally-parked vehicles, which adds traffic congestion in the area. Nevertheless, the group still waited for some minutes and in case the drivers arrive, tickets will be issued to them and their vehicles will not be impounded.

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Among those vehicles towed by MMDA include tricycles, cars, and passenger jeepneys, wherein one of them is owned and operated by PISTON President George San Mateo. This is the admission of a jeepney driver, who arrived late in the scene, and the MMDA is already preparing to leave, along with the towed vehicles and confiscated items.

“Nung una, medyo nagmatigas pa nya yung driver, at pinakita pa niya sa amin yung rehistro nung jeep na nakapangalan nga kay Mr. San Mateo. Sabi nya, pinayagan daw nito na mag-park kasi malayo ang garahe. Pero nung sinabi ko, nandiyan si Chairman (Lim), bigla siyang bumait at nakiusap.” MMDA team leader Zosimo Celocia said.

(At first, the jeepney driver resisted, and even showed us its Certificate of Registration (CR) named under Mr. San Mateo. He told us that his operator allowed him to park the jeepney there because the garage is very far. But when I told him that Chairman Lim is with us, he suddenly behaved properly and begged.)



Meanwhile, the MMDA vowed to be consistent in their sidewalk clearing operations, as part of their commitment to reduce traffic congestion. According to MMDA Spokesperson Celine Pialago, there will be no special treatment and that their operations are not focus only on the poor. In addition, they will continue going against motorists without helmet.

Contributed by Renato Pasayao