Senate Effite of the Direrp TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 25 AUG -7 P6:15 First Regular Session RECEIVED BY: SENATE Senate Bill No. 1156 Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA AN ACT REQUIRING PROOF OF AVAILABLE PARKING SPACE FROM MOTOR VEHICLE OWNERS IN METROPOLITAN AREAS AS A PRE- REQUISITE FOR THE REGISTRATION OF A MOTOR VEHICLE WITH THE LAND TRANSPORTATION OFFICE, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 4136, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "LAND TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC CODE" AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE According to the 2024 TomTom Traffic Index, which analyzes urban congestion covering 501 cities across 62 countries worldwide, three (3) cities in the Philippines are among the most congested in the world: 1 (1) Davao City ranked 3ra among the cities surveyed with a congestion rate of 49%. The average travel time per 10 kilometers is recorded at 32 minutes and 59 seconds. Travelers lose 136 hours per year at rush hours; (2) The City of Manila ranked 27th with a congestion rate of 42%. The average travel time per 10 kilometers is recorded at 32 minutes and 10 seconds. Travelers lose 127 hours per year at rush hours; and (3) Caloocan City ranked 39th with a congestion rate of 41%. The average travel time per 10 kilometers is recorded at 30 minutes and 44 seconds. Travelers lose 111 hours per year at rush hours. In practical terms, a 30-minute trip driven in free-flow condition in Manila will take 13 minutes longer when the congestion level is at 42%. Drivers and commuters in Manila spent five (5) days and seven (7) hours of extra time driving in rush hours. TomTom Traffic Index Ranking 2024. Available at https://www.tomtom.com/traffic- index/ranking/?country=PH (Accessed on 23 July 2025).
Separately, a study by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in 2017 estimated that traffic congestion in Metro Manila cost the economy PHP 3.5 billion in lost productivity each day. Without effective interventions, JICA warns this figure could rise to PHP 5.4 billion daily by 2035.2 While enhancing transportation infrastructure is essential, addressing vehicle volume in metropolitan areas is equally critical. This bill proposes requiring all motor vehicle owners to prove they have access to a garage or private parking space before registering their vehicles with the Land Transportation Office (LTO). The goal is to discourage the use of public roads and sidewalks as de facto parking areas, which significantly contribute to traffic congestion. Furthermore, the bill mandates the LTO to verify documentation submitted by registrants or vehicle purchasers to confirm the existence of a parking facility. This requirement would apply not only in Metro Manila but also in other metropolitan regions across the country. While the government bears significant responsibility for resolving urban traffic issues, especially in Metro Manila, private vehicle owners who utilize public roads for parking exacerbate the problem. When streets are used as parking spaces, traffic flow is disrupted, leading to longer travel times and increased congestion. Foregoing considered, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. JOEL VILLANUEVA A 2 JICA. JICA and DOTr to improve service quality of PUVs towards road decongestion in Mega Manila. Published at https://www.jica.go.jp/english/overseas/philippine/information/press/2024/1545461_53492.html (Accessed
Senate Offier of the Scurtary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 25 AUG -7 P6:15 First Regular Session RECEIVED BY: _ SENATE 1156 Senate Bill No. Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA AN ACT REQUIRING PROOF OF AVAILABLE PARKING SPACE FROM MOTOR VEHICLE OWNERS IN METROPOLITAN AREAS AS A PRE- REQUISITE FOR THE REGISTRATION OF A MOTOR VEHICLE WITH THE LAND TRANSPORTATION OFFICE, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 4136, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "LAND TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC CODE" AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "No Garage, No
Car Act."
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - Pursuant to the Constitutional principle
that recognizes the right of the people to balanced and healthful ecology and the protection of life and property and the promotion of general welfare, the State shall promulgate measures to lessen traffic congestion, provide safe and uncluttered pathways where people may freely walk to their destinations, and maintain a clean and healthy environment by clearing the streets of parked motor vehicles and other objects that reduce the space for ongoing human and vehicular traffic.
SEC. 3. Proof-of-Parking Space or Facility. - Section 5(a) of Republic
2 Act No. 4136, as amended, otherwise known as Land Transportation and Traffic Code, is hereby amended to read as follows: "Section 5. All motor vehicles and other vehicles must be registered. (a) No motor vehicle shall be used or operated on or upon any public highway of the Philippines unless the same is properly registered for the current year in accordance with the provisions of this Act: PROVIDED, THAT OWNERS OF MOTOR VEHICLES IN MAJOR CITIES AND METROPOLITAN AREAS WHO SEEK TO REGISTER HIS/ HER MOTOR VEHICLE WITH THE LAND TRANSPORTATION OFFICE (LTO) SHALL BE REQUIRED TO EXECUTE AN AFFIDAVIT ACKNOWLEDGED BEFORE A NOTARY PUBLIC ATTESTING TO THE AVAILABILITY OF A PERMANENT PARKING SPACE OR FACILITY OR THAT A PARKING SPACE OR FACILITY HAS BEEN LEASED OR PROCURED SPECIFICALLY FOR THE PURPOSE OF PARKING THE MOTOR VEHICLE INTENDED TO BE REGISTERED: PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT EACH AND EVERY MOTOR VEHICLE SHALL REQUIRE A SEPARATE SPACE FOR PARKING: PROVIDED, FINALLY, THAT NO MOTOR VEHICLE SHALL BE REGISTERED UNLESS THE LTO HAS CONFIRMED THE EXISTENCE OF A PARKING SPACE OR FACILITY FOR THE MOTOR VEHICLE."
SEC. 4. Local Government Units and Citizen Patrol. - Any
concerned individual may report to the LTO, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), metropolitan coordinating councils, or the engineering offices of local government units (LGUs) concerned the existence of motor vehicles which are parked on the streets, alleys or pathways primarily used for pedestrian and motor vehicle traffic. Authorized personnel of the LTO, MMDA, metropolitan coordinating councils, LGU engineering offices, and other relevant law enforcement agencies shall conduct periodic ocular inspections for the purpose of strictly implementing the provisions of this Act.
SEC. 5. Penalties. - A motor vehicle registration issued to an owner,
2 whether natural or juridical, which has been fraudulently obtained from the LTO 3 by making untrue claims in the public document executed for the purpose of 4 complying with the requirements under Section 3 of this Act indicating that an 5 adequate parking space or facility exists for a motor vehicle, shall be revoked. 6 In addition, the erring motor vehicle owner shall be suspended from registering 7 a motor vehicle under his/her name for a period of three (3) years and shall be liable for a fine in the amount of Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00) for every 9 violation of the provisions of this Act. In addition, the driver's license of the 10 motor vehicle owner shall also be suspended for a period of up to three (3) years. In case of repeated violations, his/her license may be revoked, with proper notice and hearing. Any officer or employee of the LTO who has allowed the registration of a motor vehicle without the necessary document required under Section 3 of this Act or with knowledge of the falsity of, or failing to further investigate despite having reasonable ground to believe that, the statement in the instrument attesting to the availability of the permanent parking space or facility for the motor vehicle statement is false, shall be suspended from office for a period of three (3) months without pay. The penalties enumerated herein shall be without prejudice to the liability that may be incurred under Act No. 3815, as amended, otherwise known as the Revised Penal Code, and other existing laws.
SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90)
days from the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Transportation, in consultation with the Department of the Interior and Local Government, MMDA, other metropolitan councils, LTO, and representatives from the LGUs in Metro Manila and other Metropolitan areas, and other stakeholders, shall promulgate the rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.
SEC. 7. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is
declared unconstitutional, the remainder hereof or any provisions not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect.
SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
executive order, letter of instruction, rule, or regulation inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 9. Effectivity, - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
5 complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general 6 circulation. Approved,