Number coding in effect today

MANILA, Philippines –  The vehicle “number coding” scheme is in effect today as Malacañang declared EDSA 1’s 25th anniversary as a school holiday, not a public holiday, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) reminded motorists yesterday.

In issuing Proclamation 84 dated Dec. 20, 2010, President Aquino declared today as a special holiday only for all of the nation’s schools.

The vehicles affected by the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) are those with license numbers ending in 9 and 0. The UVVRP will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with window hours from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Ambulances, firetrucks, police patrol cars, military vehicles, vehicles commandeered by the government directed by a person in authority or his agent or by a medical practitioner for military relief or emergency purposes, vehicles carrying persons needing immediate medical attention, vehicles with diplomatic plates, vehicles with government plates or appropriate Land Transportation Office stickers or markings expressly showing the name of the agency or office and duly enfranchised school buses and company shuttle service vehicles are exempt from the scheme.

Vehicles affected by the coding scheme are allowed on the road during the window hours, though Makati, Malabon and Las Piñas observe no window hours. Motorists caught violating the coding scheme will have their licenses confiscated and have to pay a hefty fine.

Meanwhile, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) warned motorists that EDSA’s northbound lane, particularly from the Ortigas service road to Santolan road, will be closed from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. today.

NCRPO chief Director Nicanor Bartolome said as many as 50,000 persons are expected to gather in the area to celebrate the People Power revolt.

While EDSA’s southbound lane will be open to vehicular traffic the whole day, its northbound lane will again be closed at 3 p.m. for the re-enactment of the “Salubungan;” open at 5 p.m., and closed again starting at 7 p.m. until the concert at the People Power monument is over.

In Manila, the northbound lane of Bonifacio Drive, from P. Burgos to 25th street, and the westbound lane from Palacio on Roxas Boulevard will be closed from 8:30 a.m. today until the unveiling of the statue of Cardinal Sin, which will be led by Aquino, is over. – Mike Frialde, Non Alquitran, Nestor Etolle, Sandy Araneta