Total parking ban in Metro Manila streets sought

MANILA, Philippines — Instead of the partial ban proposed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government, a lawyer’s group is pushing for total ban on street parking in Metro Manila.

Albert Sadili, spokesman for the Lawyers for Commuter Safety and Protection, said the LCSP is adopting the position that street parking should be banned in the metropolis,  regardless of the time of day.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla earlier proposed a daylong street parking prohibition, or from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority suggested a ban during rush hours, or from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Sadili said the LCSP is supporting both proposals, but is also pushing for a total ban on street parking as provided under Republic Act 4136, or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.

He noted that while RA 4136 prohibited parking on public streets, its enforcement has been weak.

Sadili said local government units and barangays have enacted ordinances that allow parking in some public streets – measures that contradict national law and may be invalidated by the courts.

“Street parking should be prohibited at all hours, not just during rush hours. Illegally parked vehicles are a persistent obstruction not only to traffic flow but also to emergency services,” the LCSP said in a statement.

Even if traffic volume is low during the night, Sadili said vehicles parked on the road are obstructions to fire trucks, ambulances and other emergency vehicles.

He added that while the LCSP recognized the partial parking ban as a step in the right direction, the measure is just a band-aid solution to a deeper and long-standing problem of traffic congestion.

Sadili said the government must improve the public transportation system, noting that more Filipinos will not purchase vehicles if commuting becomes a safe, reliable and efficient option.

He added that a law should be passed requiring people to secure a designated parking space before being allowed to buy a vehicle.

During the Metro Manila Council meeting on Friday, Remulla called on Metro Manila mayors to come up with a unified parking scheme by Sept. 1, as part of an initiative to improve urban livability.

Some local chief executives recommended a time-based restriction model, similar to Makati City’s ordinance that allow street parking during off-peak hours.

“What the mayors suggested is that during peak hours, a total ban on street parking should be implemented in Metro Manila,” Remulla said.