Council nods Park-First-Pay-Later policy

June 14, 2020 Metro BLISTT

The city council, on June 2, approved on third and final reading a policy that aims to expedite the entry of cars in parking facilities.
The legislative measure was signed by Mayor Benjamin Magalong on June 8.
Under the ordinance, all parking facilities in the city which charge parking fees are mandated to collect fees only upon entry of the vehicle or when the vehicle is already safely parked.
A parking facility is a “parking area or structure having parking spaces for more than two (2) vehicles at which motor vehicles are permitted to park in return for an hourly, daily, or other periodic fee, whether publicly or privately owned, but does not include parking spaces along a public street.”
According to Councilor Benny Bomogao, main author of the ordinance, the collection of fees before letting the vehicles park forms long queues of motor vehicles which eventually causes traffic buildups on the main thoroughfares.
The newly approved policy aims to address the said problem. All existing parking facilities covered by the ordinance are given three months from the affectivity of the ordinance to adhere to this policy.
A fine of P5, 000.00 will be charged to a non-compliant owner or proprietor of the parking facility after the lapse of the compliance period. Continuous violation will result in revocation and/or nonrenewal of business permit until full compliance.
The parking facility owners/proprietors/managers will be furnished a copy of the approved ordinance by the authorized office in-charge of traffic management.
JGH/ABN