A sign on a vehicle parked on a so-called “private road” that occupies one lane meant for passing vehicles in Bulacan has earned the ire of Filipinos.
On Wednesday, August 13, Facebook page Parkeserye, which posts reader-submitted photos showing “improper parking habits,” shared an image of an Asian Utility Vehicle (AUV) in Barangay Lias, Marilao.
The AUV had a huge sign behind it that reads:
“Kung ayaw [niyo] po ng masikip at ma-traffic na daan, ‘wag mo kayo dito dumaan! PRIVATE ROAD po ito!! MAGBIGAYAN PO KAYO, ‘WAG MAG-SWAPANGAN!!!”
There is also an L300 van parked beyond the AUV.
“Nakakahiya naman sa signage niya!” the page said, presumably quoting the reader who submitted the photo.
The post has garnered 43,000 likes and reactions, 2,800 shares, and over 5,000 comments, including some follow-up posts from Parkeserye itself.
The page also shared a message it received from an individual who claimed to be in the area.
“Kapitan said hindi niya pwedeng paalisin ‘yung mga naka-park, same claim, private road. Even si kap, nakabalagbag sa kalsada [ang] sasakyan,” the sender, whose identity they kept anonymous, said in the message.
“Kapitan” refers to the Barangay Captain or the village chief, who is the highest-ranking elective official in a barangay.
The barangay is the smallest administrative division in the country.
“If you go to other streets sa area, may halaman sa daan, may extension ng karinderya, and meron pang welding shop sa kalsada. Lahat ‘yan, hindi [pinapaalis] ng kapitan ng Lias,” the sender wrote.
Other Filipinos also weighed in through the comments section..
“Private road does not mean it is a private garage,” a Facebook user wrote.
“Private road po, hindi private parking,” another commented.
“Weh, ‘di nga… patingin nga ng titulo mo na private ‘yan??? Kaya ako talaga, agree sa total ban ng street parking eh,” a different Pinoy wrote.
A law firm said that public streets cannot be considered private property.
“Homeowners cannot bar others from parking on the portion of the street in front of their house, unless it violates a valid local regulation (e.g., a posted no-parking sign),” it explained.
It added that roads are considered private if they are located within gated subdivisions or private villages, where ownership lies with the homeowners’ association or the developer, depending on the subdivision’s master deed or deed of restrictions.
