THE Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) said the demand for parking spaces in Davao City is continually growing and proper development planning should be done to address the issue.

During the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII) Business Forum on Friday, March 29, 2019, Minda deputy executive director Romeo Montenegro said urban development, increasing number of people and rising skyscrapers in the city brought about a great demand for parking spaces in the city.

“Imagine five years from now, what would it be like in the areas where parking spaces is the problem? It is no wonder why some companies are looking into at building a parking building right within the downtown area owing the growing demand of parking space,” Montenegro said.

Office of the City Building Official (Ocbo) head Cirinia Grace Catubig said in a text message Tuesday, April 2, that due to the demand, a parking space has been included as requirement to new building owners in the city pursuant to Presidential Decree 1096 or the National Building Code of the Philippines.

The Davao City Investment and Promotions Center (DCIPC) also encouraged investors to have parking spaces through granting incentives such as real property tax and business tax.

In an interview with SunStar Davao, Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Inc. (DCCCII) president Art Milan said the measures taken by the city government in encouraging more parking spaces are proactive ways to address the shortage of parking areas.

“You cannot put a building without providing a parking space. It is a proactive way to address the issue because we certainly cannot make the city streets as parking areas since we are a growing city,” he said.

“We need road access nga makaagi tanan sakyanan especially na wala pa tay (for all vehicles to pass since we still don't have) mass transport system. So once in place na ang mga unsolicited proposals for the city to put up mass transport system, then there will be so much development,” he added.