Certify proof of parking bill as urgent, Duterte urged
MANILA, Philippines – Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Thursday called on President Rodrigo Duterte to certify the proof of parking space bill as urgent to ease traffic congestion in Metro Manila.
“Passing this bill will be a big boost to the administration’s campaign of reclaiming public roads and help ease the perennial traffic woes we are experiencing in Metro Manila,” Gatchalian said in a statement.
“I hope President Duterte will certify this bill as urgent as it is very much aligned with his vision of alleviating the constant struggles of the commuting public,” he added.
The senator issued the called after the President ordered concerned government agencies to “reclaim all public roads that are being used for private ends” during his fourth State of the Nation Address on Monday.
READ: Duterte to Año: Take back public roads to ease Metro Manila traffic
Under Senate Bill No. 368, or the Proof of Parking Space Act, individuals and businesses based within Metro Manila would only be allowed to purchase vehicles after the execution of an affidavit confirming that they have acquired, either through purchase or lease, a parking space for the vehicle sought to be purchased.
The said bill would also mandate the Land Transportation Office (LTO), the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, and local government units to conduct frequent ocular inspections of major and minor thoroughfares across the National Capital Region to remove illegally parked vehicles and to punish vehicle owners who refuse to comply with the law.
The measure, Gatchalian said, is very timely and will instill a culture of responsible vehicle ownership among Filipinos.
“Motor vehicle owners should be made responsible to provide permanent parking space for their private vehicles, whether this is made an integral part of their house or building structure, or a leased facility,” Gatchalian said.
“The street is primarily intended for vehicular or foot traffic and should not be appropriated as personal parking spaces for these vehicles,” he further pointed out.
The lawmaker cited figures from the (LTO) which showed that there are 11.6 million registered motor vehicles in 2018, which is 1.2 million or 11.4 percent more than the 2017 figure of 10.5 million.
“The present administration is in a good position to achieve real, tangible change by overhauling Metro Manila’s outdated public transportation system,” Gatchalian pointed out. /gsg
