IN A bid to reduce inconvenience and unnecessary conflict in public spaces, a proposed ordinance prohibiting individuals from reserving parking by blocking motor vehicles has been introduced.
Cebu City Councilor Jose Lorenzo Abellanosa, author of the proposed measure, said it also promotes common sense by observing respect and courtesy for other road users and motorists.
The measure, which will be called “Mindful Parking Ordinance of Cebu City,” seeks to hold individuals who reserve parking and block the access of other motor vehicles to parking spaces legally responsible.
Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) assistant head Kent Francisco Jongoy commended the new parking measure.
Jongoy said the rule of “first come, first served” has been a universal and long-standing principle that many motorists and individuals continue to violate.
Jongoy said Congress has yet to pass a similar bill; however, he believes it is better to implement such a rule at the local level.
He suggested that the rule should be included in the traffic code, as no existing legislation currently addresses this specific violation.
Jongoy acknowledged challenges, particularly that CCTO personnel cannot intrude into private parking spaces.
However, the ordinance will require private establishments to enforce this rule.
If passed, the ordinance will apply to all public parking spaces and parking spaces reserved by private business establishments for temporary parking of motor vehicles, whether for free or for a fee.
It will also include any highway, boulevard, avenue, road, street, bridge or other thoroughfare, park, plaza, square, and/or any open space of public ownership where people are allowed access.
Violations
The measure prohibits persons from physically occupying available parking spaces or placing objects to prevent other motor vehicles from parking.
A person is presumed to be reserving a parking space if another motor vehicle is waiting for the spot, or if the person or an object is still there when another motor vehicle arrives.
It will be considered a violation if a person blocks the parking space. Anyone who instructs, directs, or permits a former driver of the motor vehicle to reserve the space, and those who reserve spaces in public and private establishments for a fee will also be considered violators.
There will be exceptions for individuals guiding a motor vehicle about to park in an available space and if the parking spaces are reserved for government vehicles.
Parking spaces specifically reserved and paid for by a client/customer in private establishments that allow the same are exempted.
Violators will be fined P1,000 on the first offense and P3,000 on the second offense.
For the third and subsequent offenses, a fine of P5,000 or imprisonment not exceeding a year shall be imposed against violators.
Violators will be held individually liable, while an out-of-court compromise fee equivalent to half the prescribed fine may be paid to the CCTO. / EHP