The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will increase the penalty for illegal parking and road obstruction effective January 7, 2019.
MMDA general manager Jose Arturo Garcia, Jr. in a press briefing on December 19 said the penalty for illegal parking for attended vehicles will be increased to P1,000 from P200 currently; the fine for illegal parking for unattended vehicles, to P2,000 from P500; the fine for obstructing the road, to P1,000 from P150; and the fine for yellow lane violation will be pegged at P1,000.
The fine was increased based on recently signed regulations by the Metro Manila Council (MMC), the governing and policy-making body of MMDA.
Garcia noted that MMDA has opted to move the implementation of the increase in penalties from December 19 to January 2019 because the authority is still fixing its ticketing collection system for traffic violations.
Garcia warned that once the higher fine is implemented, vehicle owners may be penalized for illegal parking plus obstruction up to twice a day for each violation.
He also reminded motorists who park their vehicles in front of their houses that they do not own the road.
“Vehicle owners thought that they own the road in front of their houses. They have benefited long enough. It’s time for motorists and the government to utilize the thoroughfare,” Garcia said.
He reiterated that motorists are prohibited from parking their vehicles on all national highways, including Mabuhay lanes.
“This directive covers all public roads except in subdivisions and roads covered by existing parking ordinances,” Garcia said.
