City to go after shops imposing high parking fees

Several motorists and car owners have complained of “excessive” parking rates imposed by various business establishments in Cebu City.

City Councilor David Tumulak said he has received calls and text messages about many business establishments that are not following the City Ordinance No. 2089 or the Ordinance Setting Standards for the Operation of Privately-owned Off-street Pay Parking areas in the city.

“I am requesting these establishments to reduce their parking fees because the ordinance only allows P20 only for the first three hours and succeeding hour is P5,” Tumulak told The FREEMAN.

Tumulak said he was told that some establishments are charging P50 for the first three hours plus P10 per hour for the succeeding hours while others collect P20 per hour.

There are others that are charging P30 for the first three hours and P10 for the succeeding hours.

“I am asking the motorists to give us parking fee receipts so we have evidence which we can use in taking legal action against these establishments,” he said.

There are also those who are charging pay parking fees without business permits, clearance from the Cebu City Transportation Office, official receipts, among others.

Tumulak said he is proposing an amendment to City Ordinance No. 208 requiring all establishments engaged in pay parking services to secure business permits so that the city government can monitor their operations.

On the other hand, the management of SM City Cebu is asking the city government if the mall is covered in the implementation of City Ordinance 2089.

Eng. Van Velez Aberia, mall manager, sent a letter to Councilor Eugenio Gabuya stating that the mall is charging a flat rate to parkers at P25.

“Can SM City Cebu or any establishment charging flat parking rates be exempted from the ordinance? If such exemption is deemed in order, can this be made explicit in an amended resolution?” Aberia said in his letter dated November 3.

Aberia asked Gabuya that the rate of P20 for the first three hours should be re-examined considering that the ordinance was approved in September 2006 considering that establishments have introduced improvements to their facilities.

Gabuya, who chairs the council committee on transportation, referred Aberia's letter to the Cebu City Planning and Development Office and City Legal Office for comments and suggestions.—

Demecillo/MBG

Jean Marvette A.