In a joint hearing, the Committees on Trade and Industry and on Local Government decided to consolidate several bills on the subject as its members agreed that shopping malls and hospitals have become "too greedy’’ in exploiting their customers.

Rep. Robert Jaworski Jr. (Lakas, Pasig City) and Faysah RPM Dumarpa (Lakas, Lanao del Sur) admitted they were relieved by the decision of the two committees to conduct the hearings for the bills that have been pending for over a year now.

Rep. Manuel Zamora (Lakas, Compostela Valley) and Harlin Abayon (LP, Western Samar) pushed for the fasttracking of the approval of the measure which was originally filed in Congress over six years ago.

Among those who sought approval of bills that would penalize the collection of parking fees were the late Sen. Rene Cayetano and former Sen. Tessie Aquino Oreta during her term as congresswoman.

"I don’t know why approval of this noble measure was derailed several times in the past,’’ Zamora said, implying that a powerful lobby may have prevented the passage of the bill.

Lawmakers noted that commercial establishment owners have been violating laws for demanding parking fees from their customers.

Jaworski said that aside from imposing stiff parking fees, commercial establishment owners have also found the temerity to free themselves from any responsibility should the vehicles be damaged or be stolen while supposedly placed for safekeeping.

"These mail operators and hospital owners have become too greedy. It’s about time for us to act and stop them from exploiting their patrons,’’ Jaworski said.