Solon pushes free parking for mall patrons

A Manila congressman has filed a bill that would exempt customers from “unsolicited” charges like parking fees in business establishments like shopping malls, markets, shops and hospitals if they spend a minimum amount in these businesses.

House Bill No. 5061 filed by Manila 1st District Rep. Manuel “Manny” Lopez seeks to exempt the patrons of business establishments from the payment of parking fees on a validation basis.

With Christmas around the corner, it is high time the House of Representatives start deliberations on the bill, Lopez, vice chair of the House committee on Metro Manila development, said in a press statement.

The bill seeks to provide for an all-inclusive system, which would exempt all patrons and clients of these commercial establishments and institutions from payment of parking fees if they spend the minimum amount provided in the proposed measure.

The “scheme that would be implemented is similar to the practice of some establishments in providing for validation of the parking ticket wherein the fees would be waived with a minimum spend by the patrons and clients,” Lopez said.