New bill requires car buyers to present proof of parking


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A new bill in Congress seeks to ensure potential car buyers must present proof of parking space before purchasing a vehicle.

The House Committee on Transportation has referred to a technical working group House Bill 5098 which requires that a proof of parking space be presented prior to the purchase and registration of a motor vehicle with the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

Valenzuela Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian authored HB 5098 or the Proof of Parking Space Act. The bill states that any person whether natural or juridical, with residency or business address in Metro Manila who intends to purchase a motor vehicle shall be required to execute an affidavit which shall be acknowledged before a notary public, attesting to the availability of parking space.

Each and every motor vehicle shall require a separate space for parking.

The affidavit executed by the prospective buyer of motor vehicles shall be presented to the LTO as a prerequiste for registration. If the motor vehicle owner makes a false declaration, he or she will be liable under articles 171 and 172 of the Revised Penal Code.

It also requires the LTO, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and personnel from local government units to determine the veracity of the existence of a permanent parking space or facility for a registered motor vehicle.

A motor vehicle registration may be revoked if it is proven that it has no parking space. The owner shall be barred from registering a vehicle for three years and fined P50,000 for every violation.

Any LTO officer or employee who allows the fraudulent registration shall be suspended for 3 months. They may also face criminal prosecution.

”We want to put order and discipline on the streets, making car owners accountable for their parking,” Gatchalian said.

Gatchalian noted there are streets which allow overnight parking. He said this bill is brought about by his experience as chief executive of Valenzuela.

He said this has compounded the traffic situation in Metro Manila because the alternate roads have become parking spaces.

“As long as you have proof of parking, you can buy as many cars as you want. You’re limited by your parking space,” he said.

Gatchalian said Japan has a 50-year-old-law with a similar effect and is premised on the need to have clear streets in cases of emergency.

He acknowledged that in the beginning there may be some complications but he believes the market will eventually determine the needs of the people.

Text: RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News

Photo: MorgueFile

This article has been re-published with permission from ABS-CBNnews.com.



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