No, You Can't Stand on Parking Slots to Reserve Them

(SPOT.ph) Every now and then, a blurry video of two people fighting over a parking slot goes viral on social media, reigniting the debate on whether or not this practice is fair game.

Looking for parking in a crowded mall is already stressful enough, but adding a human traffic cone into the mix takes the frustration to a whole new level. The frequency of these incidents leaves many asking: is this even allowed in the Philippines?

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What does Philippine law say about standing on parking slots to reserve them?

Although there’s no national law that directly tackles this issue, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) set the record straight in 2019.

"A parking slot is reserved for a vehicle, hindi sa tao... Tatandaan po natin na ang parking na 'yan whether private or public is first come, first serve," MMDA Traffic Chief Edison Bong Nebrija told GMA News.

Only Marikina City seems to have made this official in 2023. Under Ordinance No. 002, Series of 2023, standing in a parking slot to “reserve” it for someone else is strictly prohibited.

This new rule applies to every parking spot in the city—think malls, shopping centers, schools, restaurants, religious institutions, and even street parking. Violators can be hit with a P1,000 fine or be required to complete eight hours of community service, depending on the situation.

Before this ordinance, “the decision of whether or not it is allowed is up to the discretion of the management of the business establishments” as noted in the context leading up to Ordinance No. 002, Series of 2023. In fact, some SM Supermalls branches have already taken a proactive stance by placing signs around the car park to prohibit this practice.

“For safety reasons, standing on a parking slot to reserve is not allowed. Parking spaces are on a first-come-first-serve basis.”

TLDR: You might not go to jail for standing in a parking slot, but it does delay traffic flow, and invite unnecessary drama. Above all, your safety is not worth that one parking slot. 

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