An inconvenient choice: move cars or people?

By Ray Adrian Macalalag

What if every parking lot in Iloilo became a park, a playground, or a bustling plaza? When we give people real choices to commute, every square meter used for parking could become a space for life, not just for cars.

In the Philippines, the daily struggle for parking and the worsening gridlock in urban centers are not simply the result of rapid urbanization or a lack of space. The real issue is that while laws and technical standards requiring regulated parking are already in place, enforcement remains weak and inconsistent. This disconnect between policy and practice is fueling congestion and undermining urban mobility.

The National Building Code of the Philippines (Presidential Decree 1096) and its Implementing Rules and Regulations provide a comprehensive framework for parking requirements. These rules are not vague guidelines but detailed mandates. For example, Rule VII, Section 707, and Table VII.4 of the IRR specify the minimum number and size of parking slots for various types of buildings, from residential dwellings to shopping malls and public markets. The law is clear that these requirements must be met before a building permit or certificate of occupancy is issued. The Department of Public Works and Highways Department Order No. 56, Series of 2016, further reinforces these standards, especially for high-traffic commercial developments along national roads, requiring off-street loading and unloading bays and setting strict setbacks from intersections to prevent traffic spillover onto public roads.

Yet these requirements can be a double-edged sword. For large malls and developers, providing parking is just another line item in the budget. For small businesses, however, the cost and space needed for mandated parking slots can be a barrier to entry or expansion. The intent of the law is to prevent congestion, but if not balanced with other mobility solutions, it can unintentionally stifle the very vibrancy that makes cities thrive.

Despite these clear legal requirements, enforcement is often lacking. In Iloilo City, for instance, Councilor Sedfrey Cabaluna recently highlighted that only two out of six major development hubs have submitted their Traffic Impact Assessments, which implied that this may not be required at current practice. This is commendable highlighting that local policymakers recognize the problem, identify its potential root causes, and provide solutions rather than shrugging it off.

The consequences of weak enforcement are visible every day. As the number of establishments continues to grow, the demand for parking and road space intensifies, yet the systems meant to manage this growth are not keeping pace. Without strict enforcement of parking and TIA requirements, new developments simply add to the congestion already burdening city streets. The absence of mandatory, standardized TIAs means that the combined effects of multiple projects are rarely evaluated in a holistic way. Instead of anticipating and managing future mobility needs, cities like Iloilo are left to address choke points and congestion only after problems have already emerged, relying on reactive measures rather than proactive, data-driven planning.

To truly address these challenges, cities must do more than enforce parking slot requirements. They must invest in better mobility options that reduce the need for private car use in the first place. Improving public transportation networks, making them more reliable and accessible, gives people a real alternative to driving. Clearing sidewalks of obstructions and illegal vendors is equally important, as it makes walking to establishments safer and more attractive. When sidewalks are wide, clean, and connected, people are more likely to choose walking or commuting over bringing their cars. Establishments should be encouraged to provide safe pedestrian access and to support bike parking, further incentivizing sustainable travel choices.

The laws and standards for regulated parking in the Philippines are robust on paper. The real test is in their consistent, transparent, and data-driven enforcement, alongside a commitment to better mobility for all. As cities strive to become more livable and competitive, they must ensure that every new development is part of the solution, not another source of gridlock. The future of urban mobility depends not necessarily on writing new laws, but on enforcing the ones we already have and making it easier for people and businesses to thrive without being chained to a parking slot.