Baguio Insider

I have it on good authority that each and every post emanating from Baguio Insider is printed out and a personal copy handed to the Mayor.

To this I say Yehey - I have his eye!

So here, Mr. Mayor and members of the Baguio City Council, is a funky suggestion for an ordinance that will make Baguio City some money, will not cost much, and may make some folks angry but in the long run make folks admire you for your courage and determination. It does not discriminate against the ‘poor,’ is perfectly legal, and a very creative way to clean up Baguio to a large extent.

Porposed ordinance:

I propose that an ordinance be enacted that will declare ALL BAGUIO STREETS ‘NO OVERNIGHT PARKING’ ZONES, and certain residential streets (like those on Engineer’s Hill and City Camp) no parking zones if possible even during the day.

Premise:

To register a vehicle one must show that he has a garage. Thus, no on-street overnight parking should be allowed because the vehicle owners must provide a garage for all their cars, whether they own the property or are just renting the same.

Benefits:

• This will force car owners to provide for garages for their vehicles

• They will not be washing their cars over government owned porous cement or asphalt, thus preventing damage to Baguio roads

• This also frees up the Baguio Police Department from any complaints that side mirrors, wheels or audio equipment have been stolen from cars that were left parked outside of a garage.

• Imagine how much money the city can earn from this (see the figures below) without having to build a permanent concrete structure

• Added after orgininal post was published: No tourists or excursionists will be allowed to sleep in their vehicles, dump their trash or use Burnham Park and other Baguio parks with parking spaces as their toilets

Implementation:

• The city is to purchase two kick-ass tow trucks (I’m sure Jadewell will sell you theirs cheap by now)

• The city will hire 5-7 men for the job; there will be thus 2-3 men per tow truck while the odd man will be on day-off

• The city will designate an impound lot among the properties that is owned by the government, preferably on Marcos Highway. Exercise the power of eminent domain or rent a vacant lot for this purpose, if necessary.

• Every night, each vehicle found parked outside will be towed to the impound lot, the owner charged Php3,000 plus Php480/day parking fee to be able to take back his car.

• Should the car remain in the impound lot for more than (90) days, the lien on the vehicle being Php3,000 (towing) +Php43,200 (parking fees for 90 days), then the vehicle may be auctioned off to the highest bidder.

• The ordinance will be scheduled for implementation starting July 1, 2008, allowing 6 months for the vehicle owners to build/find a garage for their cars

Exemptions:

• Should there be a party or gathering in someone’s house, then he must secure an exemption pass from the barangay captain at the rate of Php50/car, estimating the total number of cars his guests will be bringing. The exemption shall be for a period of 8 hours total only.

• The same goes for overnight events like retreats, seminars, and other group activities, even if they be held in a private residence.

• Commercial establishments like restaurants, bars and hotels may pay a yearly fee for this purpose or have it built into their permits. They pay premium rental rates or real estate taxes anyway.

• Transient houses should provide garages for their guests, too, and not just stick Baguio visitors into ugly little ‘bartolinas’ with ukay-ukay curtains whilst not providing security for guest vehicles, so they can also either pay a yearly fee or a nightly exemption pass per vehicle.

Costs:

• Php2M for the towtrucks

• Php1M/year for the salaries of the towing personnel and impound lot including guards or a police detail

• Php1M/year for other expenses such as fuel, utilities, repairs, etc.

• Php100k for information drive

Projected income:

1. At just two cars towed per night Php6,000 = Php360,000.00/month or Php4,320,000.00/year! And if the average is just 2 cars, then you won’t even need the second tow truck.
2. Parking fees if each vehicle is claimed, on the average, after 7 days = Php210,000/month or Php2,419,200.00/year!
3. Barangays or the city can make an unlimited amount of money just charging parking fees. I think Php50/car/night is reasonable. If the vehicle owner cannot afford to build a garage, Php18,250 total as parking fees per vehicle is not a bad amount to pay for one year. Imagine how much the city would make if each on-street parking slot will generate an income of Php15,000 (annual discounted rate if you will) per year!

In other words, we should not allow Baguio roads to be used as free parking spaces. The city has every right to earn from the use of the streets for this purpose.

Think of parked cars as stray dogs, and the tow trucks as the dog pound. Except that parked cars don’t bite.

Feel free to add your comments and suggestions, rants and raves below.