AN OFFICIAL of the Roads and Traffic Administration (RTA) said he hopes that a Senate bill, which would require prospective vehicle owners to present proof that they have a parking space or garage, will be passed as one of the solutions to ease traffic congestion.
RTA head Engineer Nonito Oclarit said he favors this proposal noting that 50 percent of the vehicle owners in the city have no garage.
He said this would also be a solution to the rampant illegal parking in the city streets.
"50 percent walay parking spaces ang mga vehicle owners diri sa syudad kay makita nato sa panahon sa kagabhion, musuroy ka sa kadalanan naay mga sakyanan nga naa ra sa daplin. Karon ang development sa Cagayan de Oro, bsan gabii na mura na ug Manila nga dili na gakatulog, dghan sa gabii gasauroy sa syudad nga gadala ug sakyanan," Oclarit said.
Aside from this, the city should also start investing on infrastructure intended for parking spaces.
Oclarit urged the City Council to fast track a proposed ordinance turning idle lands into parking spaces.
The Senate is ironing out the details of a bill which would require prospective vehicle owners to present proof that they have a garage space for their new automobiles thus clear the side streets of obstructions.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian proposed measure Senate Bill No. 201, also known as the Proof-of-Parking Space Act, which he considers to be a relevant bill at this time, since this will instill a culture of responsible vehicle ownership among Filipinos.
Under the Proof-of-Parking Space Act, individuals and businesses would only be allowed to purchase new vehicles after the execution of an affidavit confirming that they have acquired, either through purchase or lease, a parking space for the vehicle sought to be purchased. The proposed measure is however only proposed in Manila.
But Oclarit said this proposed law should be applied in cities that have the same traffic problem.