Higher Fines for Illegal Parking, Yellow Lane Violations Begin in January 2019

Drivers in Metro Manila have a few more days to improve their habit of parking just anywhere or face increased penalty for illegal parking effective January next year, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) declared.

“MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim has moved the enforcement of higher fines on illegal parking to January 7,” said MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia in a press briefing on Wednesday, December 19.

Garcia said the penalty for illegal parking for attended vehicles was raised to PHP1,000 from PHP200 currently; fine for illegal parking for unattended vehicles was increased to PHP2,000 from PHP500 currently; fine for obstructing the road was increased to PHP1,000 from PHP150 currently; and fine for yellow lane violation was increased to PHP1,000.

The fine increase was based on regulations signed by the Metro Manila Council (MMC), the governing and policy-making body of the MMDA, recently.

“We are still fixing our ticketing collection system for traffic violations so we decided to move the implementation,” said Garcia.

Once implemented, Garcia warned vehicle owners that they can be fined for illegal parking plus obstruction,  twice a day for the same violations.

He also reminded motorists who park their vehicles in front their houses that they do not own the road.

“Vehicle owners thought that they own the road in front of their houses. They have benefited long enough. It’s time for motorists and the government to utilize the thoroughfare,” Garcia said.

Garcia reiterated that motorists are prohibited from parking their vehicles on all national highways, including Mabuhay lanes.

“This directive covers all public roads except in subdivisions and roads covered by existing parking ordinances,” said Garcia.