Cebu City will soon have better venues for public parking.
For many Cebuanos, it’s about time that more public parking spaces were made available in the different areas of Cebu City.
Cebu City officials have plans to set up public parking buildings in urbanized areas like downtown Cebu, as the city council amended its zoning ordinance on its third and final reading.
The ordinance, previously amended in 1996, allowed the city government to construct parking structures for tourists and locals to safely park their privately-owned vehicles.
However, the ordinance did not include the procurement of lots, so after the regular session on April 26, 2023, the councilors approved a P20 million trust fund for both purchasing and construction.
The funds were taken from parking area requirement exemption fees, which were paid by building owners who failed to comply with parking area requirements such as the size of their lot.
As soon as Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama signs this ordinance, the city council can begin negotiating with lot owners and start building these parking spaces.
But how does public parking help in the development of Cebu as a highly urbanized city?
THE IMPORTANCE OF PUBLIC PARKING IN CEBU
Public parking spaces in notable areas of the city can help with issues like double parking and traffic.
1. Convenience
Cebu City Vice Mayor Raymond Garcia expressed that looking for a proper parking space downtown is quite difficult because of the lack of public parking spaces.
Garcia, who also authored the amendments, mentioned that the city does not have designated public parking areas other than a few roadside parking spots.
This has caused motorists to result in illegal parking or having to park somewhere far from their actual destination.
Parking spaces allow for a faster and more convenient means to park your vehicle. You won’t have to drive around looking for a parking spot, as you already have one that is easily accessible in Cebu’s urbanized areas.
2. Safety
Cars are investments, and investors want to make sure their investment is safe. In this case, designated parking buildings serve as a safety blanket.
Public parking spaces are maintained and guarded by security staff and parking attendants to make sure your vehicle is safe from accidents and other unforeseen circumstances.
They can also lessen roadside parking, which could potentially damage your car because of other passing vehicles. This is especially worrisome along busy roads like downtown, where hundreds of public transport vehicles pass by daily.
Entering your car is also much easier and more comfortable. It’s safer for you to transport items since you won’t have to worry about the bustling traffic.
3. Lessen traffic congestion
Speaking of busy traffic, roadside parking is considered one of the prominent causes of traffic congestion in the Philippines. Stagnant on-road parked vehicles take up a lot of space and make it difficult for others to move around in.
The lack of parking space also causes motorists to drive around the road looking for a parking space, which also contributes to the slow flow of traffic.
Both these factors can lead to traffic jams around the city, so giving motorists a designated place to park away from the road could alleviate Cebu’s traffic problems.
4. Easier access to tourist spots in Cebu
Parking is an extremely important part of any business, and the absence of parking spaces is a deal breaker. Some parking spots can only accommodate a specific number of vehicles, which can be quite stressful during busy days.
Public parking spaces can be the perfect alternative to support this, as customers and visitors worry less about the safety of their vehicles. Even if you end up parking your vehicle further away, you are assured that your car is safe and protected.
With the city government’s plan of focusing on downtown Cebu, tourists and locals can enjoy the many heritage sites in the city without having to worry about parking spaces.
This is much clearer as the city government plans to promote the downtown area, which is already a historical locale with tons of the oldest infrastructure in the Philippines.
If you are a Cebuano frequently driving through the streets, this is one development you should definitely look forward to. Soon, you will finally have a go-to place to park your car safely and conveniently.
The construction will take time, but in a few years, we may see a huge improvement in Cebu’s transportation economy. Less traffic congestion on the road can potentially help Cebu become an even better place to travel around in.
