PROPOSED increases in on-street parking fees in Cebu City have sparked a public debate, with many residents questioning the effectiveness of such a measure in addressing the city’s persistent traffic problems.
Instead, many Cebuanos suggested a range of alternative solutions — from stricter enforcement of existing traffic rules to significant infrastructure development for mass transportation and road widening initiatives in comments posted online following a SunStar Cebu report on Friday, June 6, 2025.
A proposed ordinance, authored by Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera, seeks to amend the 1972 Cebu City Traffic Code.
Amendments on key provisions include extending on-street parking hours, banning parking on major roads like Natalio Bacalso Avenue and M.J. Cuenco Avenue and tightening regulations around City Hall.
The proposal also aims to replace outdated references and accommodate the city’s current reliance on manual parking collectors.
Stakeholders proposed increasing fees on street parking to ease congestion, deter motorists from parking on the street, and boosting city revenues.
However, netizens expressed skepticism, fearing it will burden commuters without solving the underlying traffic issues.
Online comments
Many netizens argued that higher parking rates will not alleviate congestion and may instead burden ordinary citizens and deter investment.
“(There will be) higher parking rates and yet there won’t be any apprehensions on those who will keep their hazard lights on because they don’t want to pay the parking fee,” said a comment by Stephen Cui Canares in Cebuano.
“Higher parking rates are not the solution. (Only) the rich can afford higher rates,” said another comment from Philip Earl Barcenilla Lumantas.
According to some netizens, the move appears to be a revenue-generating scheme for the government rather than a genuine traffic solution.
They said increased fees could also disproportionately affect lower-income individuals and potentially lead to corruption.
Cebuano netizens suggest converting idle downtown properties into multi-level parking facilities, especially near tourist attractions like the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño de Cebu and the downtoan area.
There were also calls for dedicated parking areas in crowded areas.
“Convert idle properties in the downtown area into multi-level parking buildings like in Cubao, QC (Quezon City) most especially near the Basilica de Sto Niño where tourists flock,” said Don Rusiana Lacerna in the comment section of SunStar Cebu’s Facebook page.
“Sto Niño church and City Hall area need parking buildings,” added Lacerna.
Several netizens also proposed clearing sidewalk obstructions, strictly enforcing no-parking zones and regulating e-bikes and tricycles to restrict them from main thoroughfares.
Many blame narrow roads, illegal parking on sidewalks, and undisciplined public transport for the city’s traffic woes.
Several long-term infrastructure projects were also suggested, including building a north-to-south railway system with a central train station, and constructing a Light Rapid Transit Metro Cebu system connecting Naga and Danao.
The idea of skyways was also put forward as a long-term solution by SunStar Cebu readers.
Beyond infrastructure, the netizens demand improved traffic management and stricter enforcement of rules.
There were also calls for better traffic lights, similar to those in other developed cities.
While some proposed ending street parking to facilitate the Bus Rapid Transit system’s operation.
Others echoed the call for improving public transport to encourage its use over private vehicles, coupled with better discipline among bus and jeepney drivers.
Among the netizens’ recommendations to improve traffic congestion were the imposition of fines for illegal parking and for businesses along roads to provide their own parking area. / EHP