Gatchalian Urges Duterte to Implement 'No Parking Space, No Vehicle' Law Quickly

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian is pushing the bill mandating all vehicle owners to show their proof of parking space before deciding to park on any road. This comes following President Rodrigo Duterte's fourth State of the Nation Address that mentioned how private motorists use public roads to park their vehicles anywhere.

Gatchalian believes that his proposed Senate Bill No. 368 "will be a big boost to the administration’s campaign of reclaiming public roads and help ease the perennial traffic woes we are experiencing in Metro Manila."

"I hope President Duterte will certify this bill as urgent as it is very much aligned with his vision of alleviating the constant struggles of the commuting public," the senator added.

"Proof of Parking Space"

Senate Bill No. 368 requires all private and business car owners to only buy vehicles only after they receive an affidavit that authenticates their purchase--or lease--of a parking space for the vehicle they're intending to buy.

Moreover, the Land Transportation Office (LTO), the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and other related local government units are tasked to confiscate illegally-parked vehicles and apprehend vehicle owners who break the law.

"Motor vehicle owners should be made responsible to provide permanent parking space for their private vehicles, whether this is made an integral part of their house or building structure, or a leased facility," Gatchalian said. "The street is primarily intended for vehicular or foot traffic and should not be appropriated as personal parking spaces for these vehicles."

One main reason for the parking space problem is the huge number of vehicles plying the roads.

According to ABS-CBN, the LTO has listed 11.6 million motor vehicle registrations in 2018. This is an increase from 10.5 million in 2017.