As side streets become parking lots, bill seeks to require garages from car buyers
By DANO TINGCUNGCO, GMA News June 1, 2015 10:46pm

Given Metro Manila's traffic problems, side streets provide motorists a way to sidestep the daily traffic jams. But what if those side streets are turned into parking lots by motorists who do not have garages or any other place to park?

In Barangay Balumbato in San Juan City, residents with neither a garage nor access to a parking lot have no choice but to park on the street. "Agawan [dito], kung sinong unang maka-park, yun na. Pag wala, hahanap ka talaga, doon ka na magpapark sa dulo," Criselda explained.

For motorists weaving through these side streets that have been converted into impromptu parking spaces, driving through is a delicate task that has to be taken slowly and gingerly. "Makitid yung daan, mahirap na pag nasagi kami pa ang mali," a jeepney driver complained.

"If you have a two-lane street, and then one lane is occupied by parked vehicles, of course di mabilis ang daloy ng trapiko. Mangyayari diyan, one on one. The traffic flow is not really smooth, so if you add the delay in one street to another street, that will have a domino effect," Land Transportation Office Spokesman Jason Salvador told GMA News.

And things are likely to get worse before they get better given that, according to LTO figures, 40 percent or about 3.2 million of the total 8 million cars in the whole country are in Metro Manila. Also, this number keeps growing with about 1,000 new registrations per day, close to 600 of which are newly-purchased motor vehicles.

Solutions

In Barangay South Triangle, Quezon City, where the problem is apparent with some streets losing a lane or two of free traffic to cars parked along the street, residents have taken it upon themselves to post “No Parking” signs along sidewalks and their driveways.

The solution could also be in the new legislation lodged in the House of Representatives - House Bill 5098. The bill seeks to require motorists to first own a parking space or garage in their residences before they are allowed to buy a motor vehicle.

"Any financially-able purchaser of a motor vehicle can be presumed to be able to provide a parking facility for their vehicle," the bill's author, Rep. Sherwin T. Gatchalian, said.

Cebu and Davao, are also considering a similar, though local, measure.

The LTO explained that such a measure was not new to the Philippines, but it was reserved for public utility vehicles applying for a Certificate of Public Convenience.

"Before they issue franchises sa would-be for hire vehicles, they check if these vehicles have enough garages. But for privately owned vehicles, I don't think we have data on that kasi di naman natin nire-require," Salvador said.

However, he qualified that while such a measure might be viable, it needed further study as it could infringe on the public's right to mobility.

The Automobile Association of the Philippines, meanwhile, said that regulations on car ownership were technically not violations of the public's right to mobility, especially, if these were aimed at a common public interest such as easing traffic.

But any form of regulation, the AAP said, had to be paired with an alternative for motorists who could be affected by the proposed measures.

AAP President Gus Lagman explained the government should begin by improving the country's mass transit system as a viable alternative to commuters.

"Sana may mga magtayo ng parking buildings,” Lagman added. “Pagka may parking buildings kayo, pwede na nating sabihin ngayon sa mga may kotse na walang paradahan sa kanilang bahay o sa kanilang apartment, bawal na. Kung gusto mo, magrent ka ng parking space, or parking slot, doon sa parking building." — DVM/NB, GMA News

More from: As side streets become parking lots, bill seeks to require garages from car buyers | News | GMA News Online