Mall operators appearing at a House of Representatives committee hearing yesterday called for maintaining the charging of parking fees in commercial establishments.

In a committee meeting, mall operators said that imposing parking fees is proper.

“We mall operators are treating car parking as a leasing operation wherein we provide spaces for parking to customers following the leasing mechanism,�? Emilio Tumbocon, Ayala Land, Inc. vice-president.

He added mall operators also base their fees on cost reimbursement.

He said 50% of the fee is for maintenance and other administrative costs while the remaining 50% is based on depreciation.

Ellaine Araneta of Robinsons Land, Inc. shared the sentiments of Mr. Tumbocon.

“We are trying to address the problem of lack of parking fees. Free parking will not solve the problem but will instead worsen it.�?

The Shoemart representative, Josefina Remollo, said the imposition of parking fees is a way to protect tenants from distinguishing between customers who buy from the mall and who just use the parking space.

“If we do not impose parking fees, people who work or live around and have no parking space for their vehicles will avail of the parking space and our real customers would not have parking space anymore.�?

Ms. Remollo noted that they have malls that do not charge parking fees. “We base the rate from the density of the customers.�?

Meanwhile, Richard Ferrer, Makati Medical Center president and chief executive officer, said imposing parking fees is normal.

“We have a market economy. We provide services for a fee. I think it is the decision of the establishment to impose parking fees or not. But the bottom line of all of this is that, somebody has to pay for it.�?

Retailers Association of the Philippines Vice-President Paul Santos said retailers share a different view from mall operators.

“If this bill is enacted into law, mall operators are compelled to provide [free] parking and will pass the cost of providing such facilities to us tenants which we will also be passing on to customers through increase in the price of our products. It will also be unfair to those customers who don’t have their own transportation but is made to shoulder equitable burden along with those who avail of the parking.

The National Building Code provides that parking spaces be provided by owners of establishments but does not indicate if they can charge fees or not.

Committee chairman and Palawan Rep. Antonio C. Alvarez (1st district) said they have not yet decided to consolidate the measures. Seven bills that seek to waive car parking charges are currently under deliberation in the committee on trade and industry.