Free parking for QC residents pushed

MANILA, Philippines–A draft measure pending before the Quezon City Council aims to enable car owners to park free of charge for the first three hours in malls, markets and other buildings located at the city.

Councilor Allan Benedict Reyes of the third district proposed to exempt the city’s residents from paying the initial parking fee rate.

Violators, on the other hand, face penalties ranging from fines starting at P500 up to P2,000 and a jail term of up to a month.

In the draft ordinance, all residents of the city will be allowed to park for free for the first three hours in Quezon City malls, markets, schools, hospitals and similar establishments which they patronize.

At present, pay parking lots in Quezon City impose a P40 fee for the first few hours.

To avail of the exemption, residents must first present a valid identification card indicating their address as well as the official receipt issued by the establishment for a purchase of at least P500.

The resident, under the draft measure, must also be of legal age and either be the driver or a passenger of the vehicle.

According to the measure, “professional fees are included in the application of this ordinance. However, accumulated receipts will not apply.”

A parking cashier or booth attendant who violates the ordinance faces a fine of P500 or a jail term ranging from one day to a month or both, depending on the discretion of the court.

Should the operator, manager or owner of the parking space violate the measure, he could be fined P2,000 or jailed to up to a month or be meted out both penalties. On the other hand, repeat offenders stand to have their business permit for the pay parking area revoked.