MMDA supports ‘no garage, no vehicle registration’ bill

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Wednesday expressed support for the bill requiring motor vehicle owners in Metro Manila and major cities to have their own parking space.

At a public briefing, MMDA spokesperson Crisanto Saruca Jr. said he has observed that many vehicle owners are using the streets as their garage.

“Magandang maipatupad din po yung ganung bill para po lahat po ng may-ari ng sasakyan ay garantisado pong nakaparada sa loob ng kanilang pamamahay,” he said.

(That is a good bill to ensure that all owners will park their cars inside their homes.)

Even those who have their own garage, Saruca said some of them are using it as an extension of their living room or as a store.

Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Velasco earlier filed House Bill 31 that also mandates the Land Transportation Office to verify the document submitted by the registrant/purchaser that they have a space for the vehicle.

According to him, this is to deter the proliferation of vehicles occupying the roadsides or sidewalks.

Velasco said that measure is needed given the rising ownership of private cars due to economic growth, rising incomes, low downpayments, and cheap auto loans. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA News