Pesce
Stes

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Seventeenth Congress
Second Regular Session

1.no.6638

Introduced by Rep. AURELIO "DONG" D. GONZALES, JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The traffic problems which undoubtedly appear to worsen everyday do not only exist in
Metro Manila. These worsening traffic problems have already cascaded in our expressways,
particularly the so-called NLEX and SLEX, thereby defeating the purpose for the
construction of these expressway. The number of vehicles which ply our roadways appear to
increase by the hundreds every month. The increase in the volume of motor vehicles plying
our NLEX and SLEX is further exacerbated by the proliferation of business establishments
along our NLEX and SLEX which also invariably serve as magnets for the traveling public.
In the course of their exiting the NLEX and SLEX to avail the services of these business
establishments, the flow of motor vehicles invariably slows down and sometimes extend to
no less than 500 meters long.

‘The worsening traffic problems are particularly true in the NLEX particularly in the section
within the San Fernando City exit in Pampanga wherein the pileup of motor vehicles
sometimes extend to a kilometer long on weekends because of the presence of two (2) malls
there which attract a large number of customers, particularly on weekends. It is of course a
fact, and thi

wasted fuel every year, valuable times wasted on the road which is beyond recovery because

is beyond debate, that worsening traffic problems results to billions of pesos in

time lost can never be regained, plus the pollution of the environment caused by the carbon
monoxide and other elements generated by the slow moving motor vehicles resulting in the

incomplete combustion of their fuel and extended time on the roadway.


In the view of the foregoing considerations, it is necessary that we come up with a legislation

that will contribute in easing the traffic problems by regulating the future construction of
malls, sport centers, convention centers and trade exhibiting centers in such a way that they

will not unduly interfere in the flow of motor vehicle traffic along our expressways.

REY. Al ONZALES, JR.
District, Pampanga


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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Seventeenth Congress
Second Regular Session

1.No, 6638

Introduced by Rep. AURELIO "DO! D. GONZALES, JR.

AN ACT PROHIBITING THE CONSTRUCTION OF MALL, SPORTS CENTER ,
CONVENTION CENTER AND EXHIBITION CENTER WITHIN A THREE
KILOMETER RADIUS FROM THE EXIT AND ENTRANCE OF AN EXPRESSWAY
TO PREVENT TRAFFIC CONGESTION THEREIN AND PROVIDING PENALTIES
THEREFOR

Section 1. This Act shall be known as the Anti Expressway Motor Vehicle Traffic Congestion
Act.

Section 2. It shall be unlawful for any person, natural or juridical, to build or construct a
mall, sports center or other structures designed for the congregation or gathering of people
within a three (3) kilometer radius from an existing expressway.

Section 3. Definition of Mall — A mall is herein defined as a large retail complex containing
a variety of stores, dining places and other business establishments housed in a series of
constructed or adjacent buildings. Further, it may also be housed in a single building with a
parking area, open or covered, that can accommodate at least one thousand motor vehicles
whether intended for passenger use or for delivery of goods at any given time.

Section 4. Definitions of Sports Center — Sport center is defined as a building where people
can perform different types of indoor or outdoor sports. It is primarily designed and intended
for the holding of sports event intended where in the audience are charged entrance fees and
can accommodate at least ten thousand (10,000) people at a single sporting event. It also
includes a parking area, open or covered, which can accommodate at least one thousand
(1,000) motor vehicles whether intended for passenger use or for delivery of various
equipment.

Section 5. Definition of Convention Center — Convention center is defined herein as a large
building that is designed to hold a convention where individuals and groups gather together


to promote and share common interest: It has a sufficient floor area to accommodate at least
five thousand (5,000) attendees at any given time. It typically has at least one (1) auditorium,
‘one (1) concert halls, one lecture hall, one (1) meeting room and one (1) conference room and
has a parking area, open or covered, which can accommodate at least one thousand (1,000)
motorized vehicles whether intended for passenger use or for delivery of various equipment.

Section 6. Definition of Exhibition Center — Exhibition center is defined herein as a very
large venue suitable for major or non major trade shows. It can accommodate at least five
thousand (5,000) people at any given time and has a parking facility, open or covered, which
can accommodate at any given time at least one thousand (1,000) motor vehicles whether
intended for passenger use or for transport of goods.

Section 7. Building officials which has jurisdiction over the place where the mall, sports
center, convention center or exhibition center are strictly enjoined to desist in issuing the
permits required under the Philippine National Building Code and its Implementing Rule and
Regulations for the construction of the structures/facilities mentioned herein if the same as
constructed will be within the three (3) meter radius from the entrance of exit of an existing
expressway.

Section 8. Penal Clause— Violation of this act shall be penalized with imprisonment of not
less than one (1) month and one (1) day but not more than six (6) months and one (1) day or a
fine of not less than five hundred thousand pesos, or both imprisonment and fine at the
discretion of the court. This is without prejudice to the imposition of administrative penalty to
the offending public official(s) as may be provided under existing law, rules and regulations.

The above-mentioned penalties of imprisonment or fine or both shall likewise be imposed on
the owner of the mall, sports center, convention center or exhibition center. In case the owner
of the structure or facility is a corporation the officers of the corporation shall be held liable
for the violation of this Act. In case, tlie owner of the structure or facility is a partnership, all
the partners shall be held liable for the violation of this Act.

Section 9. Repealing Clause — Any and all acts, administrative issuance and rules and
regulations inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed accordingly.

Section 10. Separability Clause ~ In case any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the other provision not affected by the declaration shall remain valid and
subsisting.

Section 11. Effectivity Clause — This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days from its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of national circulation.