Motorcycles Swept Away by Truck in Cabanatuan Sparks Roadside Parking Debate

A video capturing two motorcycles being swept away by a truck along a road in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, has sparked renewed discussion about roadside parking practices in the Philippines. The footage, originally posted by the Facebook page "Parkeserye" on September 11, depicts the incident occurring on the evening of September 9 in Barangay Valdefuente.

The video shows two motorcycles parked on the right side of a well-lit street while a car is on the opposite side. Moments later, a large truck passes by and knocks the motorcycles over before continuing down the road.

This clip has drawn significant attention online, amassing over 677,000 views, 10,000 reactions, and more than 2,200 comments from Filipino netizens. Many posts criticized the motorcycle owners for parking along the roadside, suggesting alternative parking on gravel areas instead. Comments ranged from humorous remarks to pointed critiques highlighting the dangers of improper parking.

The incident has revived broader conversations concerning the regulation of roadside parking, a persistent source of frustration for commuters nationwide. In 2022, a legislative proposal was introduced in the House of Representatives mandating that prospective vehicle owners in Metro Manila and other major cities must secure dedicated parking spaces prior to purchasing cars.

Former Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Velasco emphasized the impact of unchecked vehicle ownership on urban congestion, stating, "Private cars are easy to own and cheap to use. While traffic congestion can be caused by various factors, it is worsened when car owners use public roads as parking spaces."

He further noted, "When roads become parking lots, travel times increase and vehicular queues worsen. This is especially acute in metropolitan areas."

This footage and the ensuing debate underscore the ongoing challenges faced in managing urban traffic and ensuring safe, orderly parking practices in rapidly growing Philippine cities.