Proof of Parking Space Bill seen as solution to traffic, illegal parking

A bill filed at the Senate proposes requiring prospective car buyers to show proof of availability of parking space before they can buy a vehicle, according to a report on GMA News' Unang Balita on Tuesday by Athena Imperial.

Senate Bill No. 201 (Proof of Parking Space Bill) was filed by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian to address the problem of illegal parking which worsens traffic.

Those found lying about having a parking space will also be penalized.

The bill also aims to ensure that emergency vehicles will have ample space on the roads.

Some Filipinos interviewed were not in favor of the bill.

"Unfair po. 'Yung may gustong bumili ng sasakyan ngayon 'di na makabili kasi walang parking," said Lovely del Rosario.

"Ang tinitira niya 'yung mga civilian. 'Yung mga company na nagbebenta ng sasakyan, wala," said Jonie Serbito.

Gatchalian, however, clarified that the bill does not intend to prevent people from buying vehicles.

"Ang intention ng bill hindi para pagbawalan ang pagbili ng sasakyan. You can buy 10 cars, you can buy 20 cars as long as you have 10 parking slots and 20 parking slots of your own," Gatchalian said.

A citizen, Edwin Saclayan, is in favor of the bill, saying, "So it's about time na merong mag-open niyan. Siguro matagal na dapat ginawa 'yon." 

Loopholes

Meanwhile, lawyer Inton Luna, president of Lawyers for Commuters Safety & Protection, said the proposed bill has good intentions but still needs some revision.

Interviewed on GMA News TV's Balitanghali, Luna said the bill should not cover only Metro Manila, but should extend to outlying areas where traffic buildups are experienced.

He also mentioned that some condominiums are being allowed by the local government to bypass the building code's provision concerning parking spaces.

"Inallow sila ng local government na ang kanilang parking [space] ay hindi ma-extend dun sa itinatalaga ng building code, " Luna said.

He also believes that an "actual proof" of parking space is needed and that mere affidavits would not be enough. "Napakadali po 'yan, pag magpaparehistro ka, nakalako lang po 'yan sa notaryo tapos tatanggapin naman po ng LTO 'yun kasi ang sabi sa panukala, saka palang magkakaroon ng penalty 'pag nalaman na nagsinungaling ka sa affidavit but at the point of registration, nairehistro mo na kahit na ang affidavit mo ay false ang nakalagay." 

Likewise, Luna underscored that the issue of illegal parking prevails because the enforcement of traffic laws lacks teeth.

"Kaya po maraming nagpa-park sa mga kalye eh dahil hindi nae-enforce po ng mabuti ng mga enforcer yung mga batas po natin," he said.

He said that their group will reach out to Gatchalian so that senator may take their suggestions into consideration. — Dona Magsino/KG/RSJ, GMA News