A commuters’ rights group has voiced strong support for a comprehensive street parking ban in Metro Manila, urging authorities to enforce the restriction beyond the usual rush hours and prohibit parking on public roads at all times.
The Lawyers for Commuters Safety and Protection (LCSP) emphasized that the ban on street parking should be strictly implemented throughout the day and night. This stance aligns with existing laws, specifically Republic Act No. 4136, which already forbids parking on public streets.
Support for Metro Manila street parking ban
“Street parking should be prohibited at all hours, not just during rush hours,” LCSP spokesperson Albert Sadili said in a statement. He added that illegally parked vehicles consistently disrupt traffic flow and block emergency services, even during off-peak periods.
Sadili explained, “Even during the night, when traffic volume is low, parked vehicles can hinder fire trucks, ambulances, and other emergency responders from reaching critical situations promptly.”
This endorsement came after a directive from the Interior Secretary urging Metro Manila mayors to finalize a unified no-parking policy by September 1. The ban forms part of the government’s broader effort to ease traffic congestion and improve urban livability, based on discussions among the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and regional councils.
Proposed parking restrictions and enforcement
The DILG proposed a ban on street parking from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, while the MMDA suggested limiting restrictions to peak rush hours, specifically from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Secretary Jonvic Remulla stressed that local governments will identify key roads—including Mabuhay lanes and major thoroughfares—where parking will be strictly forbidden. A technical working group is set to finalize the policy recommendations next month.
“We’re going to be very strict about it,” Remulla said. “We’ll create a detailed city map to clearly indicate where parking is allowed and where it is not.”
Long-term solutions beyond the parking ban
While LCSP welcomes the Metro Manila street parking ban as a positive step, it warns that this measure is merely a temporary fix to a deeper problem.
“This is a band-aid solution to a deeper, long-standing problem of traffic congestion,” the group stated. They urge lawmakers to pass a mandatory proof-of-parking law, requiring vehicle owners to prove they have a designated parking space before they can buy or register a car.
Such a law would discourage careless parking habits and promote responsible vehicle ownership, LCSP explained.
The group also called for significant public transportation reforms aimed at providing safer, more reliable, and efficient alternatives to driving private vehicles.
“If commuting becomes a safe, reliable, and efficient option, many Filipinos will choose not to purchase private vehicles. For example, a single bus can carry up to 50 passengers while occupying far less road space than 50 cars,” LCSP noted.
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