Following HB 11076, MMDA, MMC seriously considering penalty for standing in a parking slot to reserve it
After House Bill (HB) 11076 was filed – that is the “Mindful Parking” Act – the MMDA along with the cities included in the Metro Manila Council (MMC) are now mulling over an ordinance that will punish those who engage in “human reservation” of parking spaces. Basically, that is the practice of a person in a vehicle parking slot to reserve it for their own vehicle, even if it’s not there (yet), and even if another vehicle is ready to take the said slot. This has been a trending topic as of late, as you all know.
MMDA and MMC Ordinance may finally end “human reservation” of parking slots
Photo: Metro Manila Development Authority
There are actually two things that are being “set in motion” with regard to this resurging problem of human beings blocking the way of vehicles from parking in what’s otherwise an empty and vacant slot. First is the aforementioned filing of House Bill 11076 or the “Mindful Parking” Act by Akbayan Rep. Percival Cendaña.
As was stated by Rep Cendaña, “the practice of individuals standing on parking spaces to reserve them and physically obstructing other vehicles violates common courtesy and the basic principle that parking should be on a first-come, first-served basis”. On the same token, a “parking space”, as defined by the bill, refers to a designated area within public or private property intended for the temporary parking of a motor vehicle.
Here’s where it gets very interesting. The bill lines up the fines for both the individual reserving the parking space and the driver of the vehicle who intends to take the said space for him- or herself. The penalties are PHP 2,000 fine for the first offense, PHP 5,000 fine plus a six-month driver’s license suspension for the second offense, and a PHP 10,000 fine with license revocation for the third offense.
Fines anywhere between PHP 10,000 and 50,000 may also be meted to establishments who fail to comply.
On the part of the MMDA, its very own chairman also made a statement regarding this dangerous and vexing practice of people standing in parking slots. MMDA Chairman Atty. Don Artes bared that his agency along with the 17 cities who are part of the Metro Manila Council (MMC) plan to pass a resolution to establish their own ordinances against the said practice.
Unlike HB 11076, the MMDA and MMC’s proposals (or ideas) did not include specific fines for violating such an ordinance, but Artes did say that “the proposed ordinances will not only prohibit this behavior but will also outline penalties for violators”. “We aim to create a more orderly parking environment for everyone,” Artes said.
To make it work across all cities of the MMC, MMDA’s Artes highlighted the need for a coordinated effort; for the agency’s part, the MMDA will collaborate with mall owners and private parking operators to find solutions to the increasing incidents of parking disputes.
While we haven’t heard of too many of these incidences, it shouldn’t come as a surprise because first, this has always been a practice that many engage in, and second, given the approaching holiday season, parking in malls are quickly becoming scarce, and that will inevitably push people – passengers and drivers alike – to find ways of securing a slot for themselves without nary a care for everybody else. And truly, that mindset is just sad.
How much would you slap on as a fine for someone who likes the “human reservation” of parking slots? Do you think HB 11076 and the MMDA and MMC‘s plans will work? What would your own bright idea be to stop this practice altogether? It would be very interesting to know so don’t hesitate to leave your comment below.
We have our own ideas, too, but we think it’s better to save them for another time. And another article for when Bills and Ordinances become more tangible and more real. Better yet, and finally, an actual law.
