(EDSA IN ANGELES CITY. Rush hour traffic approaching Abacan Bridge. Photo by Bong Lacson)
ANGELES CITY – All vehicles, ranging from calesas to big trucks, will now have to pay parking fees ranging from P10 to P60 for the first hour, and from P5 to P30 for every succeeding hour in all public areas in this city.
“The 17th Sangguniang Panlungsod here led by Vice Mayor Bryan Matthew Nepomuceno has approved the implementation of ‘On Street Pay-Parking Project,’ an ordinance created to eliminate traffic congestion in the city,” the Angeles City information office announced yesterday.
It said that “fees for motorcycles, tricycles, pedicabs and calesas will start at P10 for the first hour and P5 for every additional hour. Cars, jeepneys, SUVs and AUVs will start at P20 for the first hour and P10 for every succeeding hour.”
“Vans and delivery trucks will start at P40 for the first hour and P20 for every additional hour; 10- wheeler trucks and heavy equipment will have to pay P60 for the first hour and P30 for every additional hour,” the local government said.
It stressed, however, that parking would be limited to a maximum of four hours only.
It noted that “the Angeles City Traffic Management Board (ACTMB) presented the project as a comprehensive scheme to aid in smooth traffic flow amid limited road spaces and influx of motor vehicles and pedestrian in designated streets and thoroughfares.”
The city information office noted that “as part of the city’s traffic control and development thrust, parking attendants will monitor designated areas on a 12-hour schedule, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., while an extension of up to 10 p.m. may be implemented if needed in some parking areas.”
“Some key areas may also be designated as strictly no parking zones depending on their traffic landscape,” the office also said.
Vehicles of violators are to be towed or impounded and pay penalty worth P1.500. with a fee of P1,500.
Senior citizens and persons with disability, however, are entitled to two hours free parking.
Pilot implementation of the parking project was recently undertaken in areas along Mon Tang Avenue and will extend anytime in all parts of the city.
The ordinance was sponsored by Councilor Amos Rivera, head of the Sangguniang Panglungsod Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities. The ordinance was unanimously approved by the members of the city council.
