Bill eyes ban on parking fees in malls, schools

MANILA, Philippines - Two legislators are now pushing in Congress to prohibit the imposition of parking fees in shopping malls, schools, hospitals, hotels and other similar establishments.

Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez and Abante Mindanao partlylist Rep.Maximo Rodriguez Jr. said House Bill 4298 allows the charging of parking fees only if the consumers will use the parking space without patronizing the establishments.

Rodriguez said the owners of establishments like malls and hotels take advantage of the consumers by charging them exorbitant parking fees despite the fact that these people park to patronize their institutions.

He said there are even instances when a consumer just spends a little time inside the establishment and yet he is charged with the standard parking fee.

Some malls charge a fixed rate of P45 to P50 but most big shopping centers charge P40 for the first three hours of parking and an additional amount for every hour in excess.  On the other hand, hotels charge P100 upward unless the ticket is validated.

Under the bill, the consumers will not be required to pay the parking fee if they can present receipt or proper validation that proves they patronized the establishment.

Without the proper receipt or validation, the establishment is authorized to charge the customers P500 for the use of the parking facilities, the bill provides.

“There is a need for us to regulate the imposition of parking fees by all establishments, whether public or private, thereby making it free of charge if proven that the person has made a purchase or have availed of the services provided by said establishment, as evidenced by his receipt or the proper validation. Otherwise, the establishment can charge the consumer with high parking fees considering that he simply used the parking space without patronizing the establishment,” Rodriguez said.

Any person or establishment, whether public or private, who violates the provisions of the act shall be fined with not less than P100,000 per customer that is charged a parking fee or imprisonment of not less than six months or both, upon the discretion of the court.