Reduced parking fees for QC elderly pushed

Here comes a well-deserved perk for the elderly—reduced parking fees.

A Quezon City councilor is pushing for the exemption of senior citizens from paying the initial rate upon parking in commercial establishments, malls, and other similar venues.

The measure, which is awaiting its third and final reading, is an offshoot of Republic Act 9994, or the 2010 Senior Citizens Act.

City Councilor Allan Benedict Reyes is the main author of the proposed measure, which aims to grant the exemption to Quezon City’s elderly residents.

“Aware of the status, needs and concerns of the elder constituents, the city government, at the instance of the city council, sees the necessity of extending this privilege to senior citizens,” the measure read.

Under the proposal, all senior citizens will not pay the initial rate in pay parking area located within Quezon City.

This privilege, however, will not apply to instances of pay parking, Reyes said.

The senior citizen wishing to avail of the exemption will be required to present his Senior Citizen Identification Card issued by the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs upon entering the parking area.

Reyes added that the elderly may be the driver or a passenger of the private vehicle.

If the cashier or booth attendant refuses to grant the privilege, a penalty of one day to one month imprisonment or a P500 fine will be imposed.

In case of the operator, manager or owner of the parking area, Reyes proposed a higher fine of P2,000.