Cebu City probes private parking operators for alleged overcharging scams
A Cebu City councillor has demanded an investigation into private off-street parking operators accused of overcharging customers. Councillor Pastor 'Jun' Alcover Jr. presented receipts showing fees of P30 to P40, well above the legal limit set by city ordinance. The council has now scheduled an executive session for May 1 to examine the issue further.
Under Cebu City Ordinance 2089, Class A parking facilities can charge no more than P20 for the first three hours and P5 for each additional hour. Class B establishments are limited to P10 for the first three hours, with the same succeeding rate. Alcover's receipts, collected from parking lots near major commercial hubs, revealed charges exceeding these caps by as much as double.
The councillor pushed for a full review of compliance, enforcement, and potential updates to the law. His motion called for an assessment of how widely operators are ignoring the rules and whether current penalties are effective. The council backed the resolution, ordering the accused operators and relevant city departments to provide written explanations within 15 days.
Over the past two years, the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) has taken steps to enforce the ordinance. These include deploying parking enforcers for on-site checks, installing CCTV in high-traffic zones like downtown areas and shopping centres, and issuing over 5,000 fines totalling PHP 2.5 million. The office has also run public awareness campaigns through social media and signage, alongside regular audits in partnership with the city government.
Despite these efforts, Alcover's findings suggest persistent overcharging. The upcoming session aims to clarify why violations continue and whether stricter measures—or changes to the ordinance itself—are needed.
The council's decision sets a 15-day deadline for responses from parking operators and city offices. The May 1 session will determine next steps, including possible adjustments to enforcement or legislation. If violations are confirmed, further penalties or policy updates could follow.
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