A city-wide signature campaign has been launched in Quezon City to oppose the planned imposition of parking fees on “places of special interests” by the city council.

Rep. Annie Susano (Lakas-Kampi-CMD, QC) urged residents to support the signature drive even as she warned city officials against ignoring the strong opposition against the ordinance.

Susano said the signature campaign has the strong backing of Catholic church leaders in the city that included Bishop Antonio Tobias of Novaliches and Bishop Honesto Ongtioco of Cubao.

“The city government should also stop imposing fees for parking of vehicles and funeral wake in city-owned properties without first passing an ordinance to justify the collection. Pati nga sa QC hall walang libreng parking,” Susano said.

Instead of imposing parking fees, Susano said the city government should start regulating the already restrictive parking fees imposed in shopping malls, public and private hospitals and other business establishments in the city.

“I believe there is an urgent need to put a cap on the maximum parking fees that can be imposed by private business establishments. Iyon namang mga government agencies, particularly hospitals, they should not be allowed to collect parking fees because that would be tantamount to double taxation,” explained Susano.

Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista assured a thorough study of proposed Street Pay Parking Ordinance 2009-05 saying that oppositors should air their views at public hearings being conducted by the city.

Bautista enjoined QC barangay officials to conduct community consultations to determine public view on the issue. In turn, barangay officials should make known the decision of their constituents by writing members of the city council or by actively participating in public hearings.

However, Ongtioco chided the city government for failing to conduct a massive information drive to inform the public about the impending council action on the measure. He described the proposal “oppressive.”

Under the proposal authored by Councilor Jesus Manuel Suntay,.parking fees ranging from P20 to P150 will be imposed on cars, sports utility vehicles, vans, buses and trucks for the first three hours.