Bill granting free parking for elderly, PWD in malls filed in Senate

MANILA: A bill filed by Senator Raffy Tulfo will exempt senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWD) from paying parking fees in retail establishments.

Senate Bill 1920, also known as the Free Parking Act, seeks to improve the shopping experience for the senior citizens and persons with disabilities by making it more accessible.

The explanatory note of the bill states that the development of the pay parking industry is one of the cultural and socioeconomic changes that must be made to the country in order to adapt to current political and economic conditions.

It also emphasizes that the cost of parking has already become a daily burden that can no longer be ignored and it is needed to implement measures and establish a program to guarantee that Filipinos are supported and acknowledged by the government in recognition of their services and contributions to society.

The free parking benefit shall be valid for a maximum of three hours in commercial establishments such retail stores, shopping malls, or similar businesses that offer products or services for sale. Overnight parking is not included.

However, retail establishments with no more than 10 parking spaces or those whose parking is not under their control, will be exempt from providing free parking.

The authorized elderly, person with disability, or accompanying driver must show identification as proof and must have spent at least P500, or any amount that may be specified by the implementing rules and regulations, at the retail establishment.

Any retail establishment that fails to comply will be fined not less than P10,000 but not more than P100,000 for the first offense and not less than P50,000 but not more than P500,000 for subsequent offenses. Recurring offenders might also have their business licenses suspended.

The bill also states that the measure will provide a little respite to the paying public from the current wave of fuel, energy, commodity, and other price increases that the average salary rate is unable to fully support.

Photo from Ayala Malls

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