Neophyte Solon Files Bill Regulating Pay Parking Areas

Neophyte lawmaker Rep. Joy Myra Tambunting (2nd District, Parañaque City) has filed House Bill 1037 which seeks to regulate the conduct of business parking station by proprietors who usually impose exorbitant parking fees at malls, hotels, and other business establishments to the detriment of customers.

Tambunting said the proposed 'The Proprietors Regulations Act' is in line with the constitutional provision that the State shall protect public interest.

"With this mind, something has to be done to correct this ongoing practice of bias towards the paying public," she said.

Tambunting, the first woman Representative of Parañaque, said pay parking is very common nowadays. She said malls, airports, hotels, and other business establishments have begun to operate pay parking areas for the use of their customers.

"But upon close scrutiny of your parking tickets, a fine line can be seen. Most stipulate that establishments have no liability for any loss or damage a vehicle incurs while parking inside their premises," Tambunting said.

Tambunting said the practice is very disadvantageous to the paying public considering that they are paying for the use of the parking space.

The bill aims to redefine and regulate contractual agreements, terms, or, conditions which have been traditionally used within the commercial parking industry and recognize the rights of the paying public, said Tambunting.

"By doing so, the rights and interests of both parties will be protected and both will also equally benefit," she said.

The bill covers any land conveniently located and may be used as commercial stations.

It mandates that agreements shall clearly stipulate the following: 1) parties to the agreement; 2) parking where agreement applies; 3) period of agreement; 4) fees, charges, and other costs; 5) signs, fencing, gates and other structures, physical improvement that may be carried out; 6) the obligation to maintain the standard required including the security of vehicle parked; 7) who is liable for any damages or loss which may arise from parking in the parking stations; 8) liability for cost, damages of loss incurred by the operator as a consequence of parking; 9) revenue from parking; and 10) regulations and law enforcement.

The bill also mandates the creation of parking spaces for persons with disability (PWD) and the allocation of specific slots for senior citizens.

The Local Government Unit (LGU), which has the jurisdiction over the commercial parking station, shall impose the necessary administrative fee and other charges necessary for the said purpose.

The LGUs, in coordination with the Office of the Treasurer located in the seat of LGUs, shall maintain a one-stop-shop concept office where the issuance of a certificate to operate as a commercial parking station and the processing of such as well as regulation shall be maintained.

Lastly, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Philippine National Police (PNP), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and other government agencies and offices concerned shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of the Act.