Bill filed vs steep parking fees

Valenzuela City Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian: Unjust and excessive

MANILA, Philippines–A bill has been filed in the House of Representatives that would protect customers of malls, shops and other establishments from “unjust” and excessive parking fees.

Under House Bill No. 5099, or the proposed “Parking Fees Regulation Act,” Valenzuela City Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian wants parking fees of shops, diners and other outfits waived or lowered to a standard rate.

“Consumers, especially those in Metro Manila and urban areas, have no choice but to pay the excessive parking fees imposed by malls and other establishments even if these businesses already profit from the sale of their products and services,” Gatchalian said in an explanatory note.

He said it was time Congress stepped in and stopped unfair and anticonsumer policies in the collection of parking fees, a problem he described as “simple yet vital to millions of Filipinos in the emerging middle class.”

“The key is to strike an equitable middle ground that will afford consumers the necessary protections without excessively hampering the ability of legitimate parking enterprises from conducting fair and profitable business,” said Gatchalian, a senior vice chair of the House committee on Metro Manila development.

Under his proposal, customers who purchase at least P1,000 worth of goods or services will have their parking fee waived, provided that they used the parking space for three hours or less.

He also proposed a standard parking fee of P40 per vehicle for up to eight hours and an additional P10 for every succeeding hour. A one-time fee of P100 per vehicle will be imposed for overnight parking.

Business establishments shall be required to provide security in parking areas. If they opt to collect parking fees, shops will be liable for loss of property or damage to vehicles.