Private firm proposes to manage Cebu City parking

CEBU, Philippines —  A Manila-based firm has submitted to Cebu City government an unsolicited proposal to develop and modernize the on-street parking management and parking collection services in the city.

Tokagawa Global Corporation, which is based Makati City, proposed to engage in the city’s parking operations like manual and electronic pay parking services for private cars, buses, public utility jeepneys and tricycles.

“The second party (TGC) ensures the guaranteed minimum annual income of the first party (Cebu City) amounting to P8,798,088.50,” reads the proposed Memorandum of Agreement between two parties.

Councilors Eugenio Gabuya, Jr. and Jerry Guardo proposed the resolution authorizing Mayor Tomas Osmeña to enter into an agreement with TGC.

The approval of the resolution was put on hold as the City Council has slated an executive session to discuss the proposed project on November 6.

“One of the persistent problems adversely affecting Cebu City and its residents is the lack and/or absence of a tangible and/or viable parking management services including a shortage of parking area/slots and illegally parked vehicles resulting in the regular and daily congestion of the streets and road networks in Cebu City,” reads a portion of MOA.

In the proposed Unincorporated Joint Venture Agreement, TGC will provide the city government training of parking personnel, leasing of parking slots or spaces, provide clamping services, and parking devices and parking management system along designated areas in the city which shall be operated in two shifts from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

To start, TGC and Cebu City agreed to test a pilot area along the stretch of Colon Street, Carbon Market area and its side streets.

The company proposed to use handheld or point of sales parking management devices and it will provide necessary equipment, technology, management, manpower, street pavement, and road pavements and paintings to implement the project at no cost to the city.

As to the parking fees, TGC vowed to charge parking fees in accordance with the present parking fees which is P20 per hour.

At least 22 percent of the gross revenue proceeds will be given to the Cebu City Government, adding that the company will remit the city's shares on a quarterly basis.

The TGC also stated that it will prioritize hiring the parking personnel of Cebu City Transportation Office as collection agents.

The company will start the project after six months of the approval of the Cebu City Government.

“Our proposal will allow the City Government to re deploy its personnel to traffic management and enforcement thereby helping case traffic congestion and provide additional revenues for Cebu City,” reads portion of TGC SVP for Operations Gener Guce. — MBG (FREEMAN)