Current Philippine laws like Republic Act No. 9994, the Expanded Senior Citizens Act, and Republic Act No. 10754, expanding PWD benefits, mandate 20% discounts on food, medicines, and select services but do not require free parking nationwide. Free parking emerges as a local perk, often limited to residents via city ordinances, such as Las Piñas Ordinance No. 1623-19 offering three hours free to local seniors and PWDs, or Manila’s similar policy requiring city-issued IDs. This leaves seniors from Bacoor parking at MOA in Pasay or Lucky Chinatown in Manila without the privilege, turning a simple errand into an added burden.
These benefits hinge on IDs from the issuing city or barangay, enforcing a residency rule that ignores fluid travel across Metro Manila. Malls and establishments implement free parking optionally, often verifying local ties, so a Bacoor senior “reverts to youth” or a PWD seems “miraculously healed” outside their zone, a jest masking real frustration. In reality, boundaries blur with easy commutes for groceries or visits, yet policies stay rigid on paper.
Bills like Senate Bill 1920 by Sen. Raffy Tulfo propose three hours free parking in commercial areas for all seniors and PWDs, easing shopping access without funding strains on government. House Bills 10061 and 10062 advance related discounts on promo prices and initial parking fees, signaling momentum as of 2024. Yet many laws falter on funding, joining wish lists despite sponsors’ efforts.
If a congressman and senator sponsor a national law mandating all establishments honor valid IDs anywhere would end selective application, promoting equity in a mobile society.
Congress needs a sponsor for this amendment, low-cost, high-impact, requiring malls like SM or Ayala to comply universally. Until then, seniors and PWDs navigate piecemeal perks. Urging lawmakers via petitions could elevate this from wishlist to reality, honoring contributions with true freedom to travel and shop.
Without a national law mandating free parking, seniors and PWDs experience a “miraculous” transformation at city borders. They instantly “youthen” or get “healed,” rendering their city ID useless elsewhere. Yet, hours later, safely back home, they revert to senior or PWD status. ||
