THE proposed measure of Sen. Sherwin T. Gatchalian requiring vehicle owners to provide proof of availability of parking space for a vehicle that will be purchased and registered is not only a sensible intervention to address the worsening traffic problem in Metro Manila but is also a concrete action to bring order back in our society, particularly on our streets.
There is chaos in Metro Manila streets not only because the volume of vehicles, the lack of effective implementation of traffic rules, and the undisciplined drivers of both private and public utility vehicles. There is chaos in our streets because most streets in Metro Manila are used as “parking lots.”
There is a difference between duly designated street parking spaces (like the metered parking spaces in other countries) and streets being used as parking lots. The former are constructed in addition to that part of the streets that moving vehicles use. The latter use spaces intended for moving vehicles.
Street parking in our country includes the use even of sidewalks as parking spaces for vehicles.
The kind of street parking not only in Metro Manila but all throughout the country is an illustration of how our governance system condones undisciplined acts of Filipinos. We are at a point where we accept such kind of street parking as normal and acceptable.
In fact, street parking is a source of income for many local government units.
The street parking system in our country is not only a direct cause of the worsening vehicular traffic problem but also a cause of, or at the very least a contributing factor for, road accidents in our country.
There is clearly compelling reasons why the proposed measure of Sen. Gatchalian should cover not only Metro Manila but also all other parts of the country. Would-be vehicle owners should first prove that they have parking spaces for their vehicles before they are allowed to purchase and register their vehicles.
There should also be a law that would prohibit local government units from allowing any kind of street parking.
Like any other laws in our country, the difference that proposed measure of Sen. Gatchalian and other similar measures will make will depend on the effectiveness of their implementation.
While some have concern about the practicality of implementing such measure, it is clear that it can be done if the government has the required political will to really put order on our chaotic streets.
