Bill seeks to ban parking fees in malls, hotels

MANILA, Philippines - A House of Representatives leader has filed a bill seeking to ban the imposition of any fee for the use of parking spaces and facilities in shopping malls, hotels and other similar establishments.

House Deputy Speaker Sergio Apostol said House Bill 3779 aims to address the mounting complaints against the exorbitant parking fees charged by business and commercial establishments to their customers.

"Parking fees exacted by these establishments are definitely irreconcilable with the essence of the Consumers Act, which protects consumers against abuses by setting the standards of suitable conduct for business and industry. It is a matter of courtesy that malls or hotels for that matter should not collect parking fees,"  Apostol said.

He said malls and similar establishments should provide free parking fees since they would already earn from their parking customers.

"It should be part of their service. Worse, when your car is vandalized in their car park, they refuse to take responsibility for it when it's their car park you pay for the privilege to park. They provide security supposedly to protect car owners and yet they refuse to account for their liability," Apostol said.

The bill also provides that permits for the construction of buildings and facilities to be devoted or utilized exclusively for parking purposes shall be issued only upon submission of a sworn statement the buildings and facilities are to be devoted or used exclusively for parking purposes and are not attached in any way to any shopping mall, hotel and similar commercial establishments.

Owners of erring business establishments shall pay a fine of P100,000 to P500,000, while members of the Board of Directors or any other corporate officers face imprisonment of not more than five years.