The Metro Manila Development Authority said Monday it will increase the fines for illegal parking in the National Capital Region starting Jan. 7.
The areas where parking is prohibited include the following:
• All national roads in Metro Manila;
• Primary and secondary roads in the cities and municipalities in Metro Manila that are: Within six (6) meters of any intersection or curved lane; Within four (4) meters of driveways or entrances to any fire station, hospital, clinic and other similar establishment; Within four (4) meters of fire hydrants;
• On the roadside of any legally parked vehicle; on pedestrian crosswalks; in front of any authorized driveway; on the sidewalks, paths and alleys not intended for parking; at the foot of or near bridges;
• In any place where official signs have been erected prohibiting parking and/or have been declared as No Parking Zones by the MMDA, such as the Mabuhay Lane and Other areas where parking is prohibited.
MMDA general manager Jose Arturo Garcia said the penalty for illegal parking for attended vehicles had been raised to P1,000 from P200; the fine for illegal parking for unattended vehicles was increased to P2,000 from P500; the fine for obstructing the road was increased to P1,000 from P150; and the fine for yellow-lane violation was increased to P1,000.
The increase in fines was based on the regulations signed by the Metro Manila Council, the governing board and policy-making body of the MMDA.
Garcia warned vehicle owners they could be fined for illegal parking plus obstruction, and twice a day for the same violations.
He reminded motorists who park their vehicles in front of their houses that they do not own the road.
“Vehicle owners think they own the road in front of their houses, and they have benefited long enough,” Garcia said.
“It’s time for motorists and the government to utilize the thoroughfare.”
Garcia said motorists are prohibited from parking their vehicles on all national highways, including the Mabuhay lanes.
“This directive covers all public roads except in subdivisions and roads covered by existing parking ordinances,” he said.
MMDA data show that at least 45,236 vehicles were fined for illegal parking in 2017.
During his second State of the Nation Address, President Rodrigo Duterte said he wanted all roads in the biggest cities cleared of all illegally-parked vehicles to ensure the smooth flow of traffic in the metropolis.
He ordered the MMDA and local government units to immediately clear the roads and major thoroughfares of all obstruction, adding he wanted to have a golden age of infrastructure under his term with big-ticket projects such as roads, airports and bridges.