Bystanders make money from illegal parking fees in Dangwa

Manila, Philippines —Bystanders-turned-parking attendants made a large profit from illegal parking fees they demanded from buyers of flowers at the Dangwa market in Sampaloc, Manila ahead of the observance of All Saints’ Day.

A patron, known only as Simon, said he went to Dangwa from Pasig City to buy flowers for his dead relatives.

Simon said a bystander allowed him to park his vehicle along Laon-Laan street, but was obliged to pay P80 for less than 30 minutes.

“I was dismayed because he demanded P100 because he would give half of the parking fee to his companion. He later agreed to P80,” Simon said.

“It was OK to pay a parking fee. But people are getting greedy these days. They should realize that not all people who have cars are rich. Others are going to Dangwa because the flowers here are cheap,” he added.

It was not clear if barangay officials in the area were aware that bystanders have been collecting illegal parking fees from the public.

The bystanders, according to Simon, are requiring motorists to pay a parking fee as much as P100.

Dangwa is known for cheaper flowers.

Vendors said prices of flowers increase days before All Saints’ Day.