Bill filed to penalize parking space stand-ins

A proposed law prohibiting individuals from standing in parking spaces to reserve them was filed in the House of Representatives on Thursday amid a spate of viral incidents highlighting breaches of parking etiquette.

House Bill 11076, or the proposed “Mindful Parking Act,” aims to end the increasingly common practice by penalizing individuals who stand in parking slots to reserve them, physically blocking other vehicles from accessing the space.

The bill’s proponent, Akbayan Rep. Percival Cendaña, described this “unwholesome practice” as a violation of common courtesy and the principle that parking should be on a first-come, first-served basis. He noted that it also endangers individuals occupying spaces intended for motor vehicles.

If passed into law, the bill proposes penalties ranging from P2,000 (for the first offense) to up to P10,000 (for the third offense), along with the revocation of the violator’s driver’s license.

Under the bill, private establishments are required to adopt and implement their own policies, imposing appropriate fines and penalties on violators. Failure to comply will result in a fine of up to P50,000 for the establishment owner.

The measure designates the Land Transportation Office to oversee the policy and formulate the necessary rules and regulations for its implementation.

This proposed measure mirrors similar local ordinances, such as that in Marikina City, which also prohibits and penalizes individuals for standing in parking spaces to reserve them.

Amid the growing prevalence of this issue, the Metro Manila Council announced on Thursday that it is studying the creation of a uniform ordinance to penalize individuals violating parking etiquette.