MMDA: Establishments should make sure customers have parking spaces

MANILA —  Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Strike Force officer-in-charge Gabriel Go believes that it is the responsibility of businesses and private establishments to provide parking for customers and keep them from obstructing the road.

Go emphasized that road pavements, sidewalks and side streets are not extensions of private property.

“Kung titingnan natin, bawat establishment, bawat negosyo - merong tayong mga customers, it is our responsibility na bigyan ng tamang parkingan ang ating mga customers,” Go said. 

(If we will look at it, each establishmet, each business--we all have customers, it's pur responsibility to give them a parking space.)

He made this statement after the clearing operation in front of a popular “paresan” along Diokno Boulevard in Pasay City on Tuesday. 

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Several private motorists were given citation tickets for parking illegally on the street. 

Meanwhile, ambulant vendors outside the said “paresan” rushed inside the parking space to save their goods.

Go explained, they will continue doing their mandate to clear alternative routes from any obstructions. 

“Kung sila po ay makukulit, mas makulit kami," Go said.

(If they are annoying, we are more annoying.)

"Tuloy-tuloy ang magiging operation natin dahil hindi lang naman ang gusto natin is matiketan ang ating mga kababayan o mga motorista. Ang gusto natin dito is ma-instill ang discipline, whether may nanghuhuli o may enforcer, as long as alam natin na bawal ang ginagawa o bawal ang pinaparadaan, magkaroon po tayo ng self-discipline,” according to Go.

(Our operations will be continuous because we want to do something more than just issue tickets to motorists. We want to instill discipline--whether or not there is an enforcer, we want them to have the self-discipline not to break the law.)

Also on Tuesday, several public utility jeepney drivers were given citation tickets for different traffic violations. 

PUJ driver Wilmer Cordova asked for consideration from the MMDA to no avail.

“Andito pa nga ang pagkain ko oh, pagkatapos ko aalis ako kasi alam ko bawal dito… wala ayaw pumayag. Isanlibo! Wala tutubusin ko na lang ‘to. Eh ang hirap-hirap ng biyahe namin,” according to Cordova.

(I told them I was still eating, I would leave as soon as I finish my food. They didn't let me off! Now I have been slapped with a penalty. Our job is hard enough as it is.)

Cordova needs to pay the fine of P1,000 but he admits that he doesn’t have enough money as he needs to pay first the boundary of P900 to his operator. 

Go explained, service roads are alternative routes for motorists to decongest main thoroughfares like Roxas Boulevard and sidewalks are meant for pedestrians and not for street vendors.