REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILE, 592

Introduced by Hon. Carol Jayne B. Lopez

EXPLANATORY NOTE

It has been the policy of the State to promote the interest of consumers
(Article 2 of the Consumer Act of the Philippines or Republic Act No. 7304). To
achieve this, the government must strive to put up adequate mechanisms
that will ensure that consumers are protected while at the same time
encouraging more trade to the end that a good environment for businesses is
set in place.

One area of concern that affects the ordinary and day-to-day conduct
of consumer lives is the matter of provision for parking. Most
establishments and business centers charge and collect parking fees for the
use of their parking areas notwithstanding the fact that the reason for the use
of their parking area is that the car owner intends, in general, to conduct
business and in particular, to patronize the products or services marketed
thereat. What makes matters worse at times is the fine print provision found
in parking tickets that denies any liability on the part of management in case
of loss of the vehicle or any personal property inside such vehicle. It will thus
be for the interest of the consuming public that shopping malls and such
other establishments such as markets, schools, hospitals, and other similar
establishments provide its clients adequate parking that is free-of-charge.

It is thus requested that the attached bill be approved.

CAROLAAYNE B. LOPEZ
cpresentative


REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

i 592

HOUSE BILL No.

Introduced by Hon. Carol Jayne B. Lopez

AN ACT REQUIRING OWNERS OF BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENTS SUCH AS.
BUT NOT LIMITED TO SHOPPING MALLS, MARKETS, SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS
TO PROVIDE FOR FREE ADEQUATE PARKING AREAS FOR THEIR
CLIENTELE AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS THEREOF

Be it enacted the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. It is the policy of the state to promote the general welfare
and in particular to protect the interest of the consuming public.

SECTION 2. Pursuant thereto, owners of business establishmenis
such as but not limited to shopping malls, markets, school, hospitals are
required to provide for free adequate parking areas to their clientele and
sanction the imposition of any form of parking fee or charge.

SECTION 3. Persons, natural or juridical, found violating the provisions
hereof shall be meted the penalty of fine in an amount not less than Fifty
Thousand Pesos (Php 50,000.00) nor more than One Hundred Thousand
pesos (Php 100,000.00) and imprisonment of not less than six (6) months but
not more than one (1) year or both, at the discretion of the court. In cases of
offending juridical persons, it is understood that the officials thereof directly
involved shall be liable therefore.

SECTION 4. All laws, executive orders or issuances, or any part of
thereof which are inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed or amended
accordingly.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved.