MMDA eyes ordinance vs reserve parking by proxy

MANILA, Philippines — By coming up with a proposed ordinance that will prohibit people from standing on parking space to reserve it, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) seeks to avert a culture of violence. 

MMDA Chairman Romando Artes yesterday said such ordinance will stem from a resolution of the Metro Manila Council (MMC) composed of the capital region’s 16 cities and one municipality.

He cited an incident that went viral on social media wherein a woman remained standing in a vacant parking slot in a cemetery in Las Piñas City, while passengers of a sport utility vehicle confronted, shouted and even pushed her. The SUV ended up using the parking slot.

Artes also cited overseas reports wherein people who stood on vacant slots almost got hit by cars whose drivers wanted to park. 

He said he was disturbed by comments on social media posts, as some people seemed to react positively when someone was run over. 

“We believe it should not reach this point that they are approving violence to remove the people wanting to reserve (parking slots),” he said. 

The MMDA and MMC have yet to come up with rules on prohibiting the practice of “reserved parking by proxy,” as the agencies would review an ordinance by the Quezon City government.