DPWH to LGUs: Pay parking along national roads prohibited

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is appealing to concerned local government units to repeal ordinances allowing pay parking along national roads.

Among the problems the DPWH has encountered in its operation against illegal parking along national roads are the pay parking ordinances of the LGUs, said DPWH 7 chief of the legal staff, Atty. Brando Ray Raya.

Raya said that it should not be the case because national roads are under the jurisdiction of the DPWH and allowing parking in these roads is a violation of Presidential Decree No. 17 which criminalizes obstruction along national roads.

“These ordinances are in conflict with this Presidential Decree,” Raya told reporters.

Further, Raya stressed that allowing pay parking areas along  national roads only contributes to the traffic congestion.

Raya suggested that LGUs, instead, should craft an ordinance consistent with PD No. 17 prohibiting parking along national roads.

He explained that the national government has been spending billions of money for the maintenance, construction and widening of roads but are just being destroyed.

He cited the V. Rama Avenue in Cebu City as an example, where establishments and customers are using the roads for parking including those operating car wash companies.

“We are doing everything we can to clear the national roads of illegal obstructions,” Raya said.

Last month, DPWH 7 regional director Ador Canlas has warned against parking of vehicles along highways as they are determined to conduct apprehension and clearing operations.

The operation is in coordination with the Land Transportation Office, Philippine National Police, and the respective LGUs.

Last March, Canlas asked LTO to deputize some of their personnel at the DPWH for the said purpose.

Canlas said that the operation is not only for Cebu but the entire Central Visayas region.

DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson earlier directed regional and district offices to make sure that all national highways are free of barriers or structures to facilitate smooth flow of  traffic and to ensure safety of motorists.— (FREEMAN)