THE Davao City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) said that it is looking into the possibility of implementing a Smart Parking System in the city.
Lawyer Edward Perez, officer-in-charge of the CTTMO, said that this is one of the solutions they are considering to address illegal parking. This initiative, however, remains in the pipeline as of the moment.
“Dako kaayo na siya nga tabang kung ma-digital siya kay ma-jive naman, naa na didtoa ang data dili na mag-papel (It would be a big help if it becomes digital because everything will align, the data will already be there and there will be no need for paper),” he said in a media interview on July 10, 2025, at the City Mayor’s Office (CMO).
Perez said that the Smart Parking System is a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), in which the proposal was submitted by Smart Philippines. He added that their office recommended the system since the company had already conducted a two-week test in 2024.
However, the needed funding for the project has not yet been determined, considering that it’s still being proposed.
He said that during the test period, it was found that a driver using the same plate number who parked in the smart parking area without paying could be traced.
Perez said that the city currently has 18 pay parking slots, but only seven are operational. The remaining slots cannot be manned due to the limited number of CTMMO personnel. As of the current time, the office has only 68 personnel.
He added that the first two hours of parking for four-wheeled vehicles would cost about P20, P5 for motorcycles, and P100 for trucks and buses.
The CTTMO collected around P16 million in 2024, below their target of P18 million.
He said that one of the reasons they face difficulties in the collection process is that sometimes the documents do not align, or some motorists who park do not pay the required fines.
Perez said that only if the city could operate all of its pay parking zones would it be able to generate a higher income.
He also said that they are looking into implementing overnight parking in barangays, but this would require the passage of an ordinance.
To recall, Dionisio Abude, head of the CTTMO, introduced the concept of the Smart Parking System on January 8, 2025, as a measure to help improve traffic conditions in the city. RGP