DOTC pushes for return of ‘coding’

The Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) pushed yesterday for the re-implementation of the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP), or the color-coding scheme to ease traffic congestion in Metro Manila.

DOTC spokesman Thompson Lantion pointed out that since roads can no longer be expanded, the best way to ease the traffic flow is to reduce the volume of vehicles.

"Our streets can no longer accommodate the volume of vehicles. It is more feasible to reduce their numbers than expand the road. The color-coding scheme should be enforced again," he said in a telephone interview.

The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) decided to lift the UVVRP from Feb. 3 to 21 as an experiment. The program was first implemented in 1996 to ease traffic in the wake of a boom in the construction of flyovers and Metro Rail Transit structures.

The city government of Makati was the only city in Metro Manila that did not allow the lifting of the UVVRP. Last Monday, Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Abalos asked the MMDA to bring back "coding" because of the horrendous traffic caused by the lifting of the ban.

The North East Manila Bus Operators Group Inc., a group of 18 bus companies, also asked the MMDA to bring back the coding scheme, claiming that their daily trips have been reduced to two from the usual four.

The MMDA assured the public that if the results of the three-week experiment shows that traffic situation has worsened, the UVVRP would be enforced again.

Lantion, however, complained that the MMDA did not consult with transport groups before suspending the UVVRP. He could not ascertain if the DOTC was consulted on the matter.

"I am not sure if Undersecretary Arturo Valdez knew about it. But the transport groups were not consulted. Before coming up with a policy or a program, one should consult all affected sectors," he added.