City officials recently requested all churches in the city to submit to the City Engineering Office–Traffic and Transportation Management Division (CEO-TTMD) their respective requests for possible parking spaces near their churches.
Under Resolution No. 270, series of 2023, local legislators stated that there is a need for the city government, in coordination with the concerned religious groups, to provide solutions to the problem of church/worship goers on parking spaces in accordance to existing laws and regulations for their convenience, peace of mind and undisturbed presence and attendance inside their churches/place of worship.
The council stipulated that members of church congregations attend church/worship services on certain days to fulfill their religious duty.
Among the issues being encountered by church/worship goers who use their private vehicles on the said days is the availability of parking spaces for their convenience and peace of mind while attending the said services.
The council claimed that the absence or lack of parking spaces or off-site parking poses a serious problem that in some instances, vehicle owners take the risk of utilizing a portion of streets or any open space available to park their vehicles to be able to attend their church services on time.
According to the council, the insufficiency of spaces, including a limited availability of on-site parking are among the challenges being faced by the city government, especially during times that people converge.
The council tasked the CEO-TTMD to conduct necessary studies, surveys, evaluation and recommendation and to submit the result of their studies to the body for further needed action.
On the other hand, the council requested the CEO-TTMD to identify areas where allowed parking may be made along Kisad Road where church goers can park on Sundays from 6 am to 8 am; 9 am to 12 pm and 5 pm to 6:30 pm and to provide signages for the same.
Under Resolution No. 271, series of 2023, the council heeded to the request of Rev. Fr. Victor Munar, parish priest of the Our Lady of Lourdes Church located along Kisad road to allow church/worship goers to park their vehicles along the roadsides of Kisad road to attend the aforesaid mass hours.
