MMDA apprehends 'conduction sticker' violators

MANILA, Philippines - Traffic enforcers of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Monday afternoon started the crackdown on vehicles using conduction stickers that violate the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) commonly known as the “number coding scheme.”

Last April 5, MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino announced that the coverage of the UVVRP has been expanded to include brand new vehicles without license plates but are on the streets using conduction stickers issued by the Land Transportation Office.

MMDA enforcers flagged down vehicles as they passed by the MMDA’s office at the corner of EDSA and Orense St. in Makati City.

Tolentino earlier said he has signed Memorandum Circular Number 06 Series of 2013 which contains the guidelines in the implementation of the UVVRP for new vehicles without license plates. The circular takes effect 15 days after its publication.

"In view of the temporary unavailability of license plates from the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and for the purpose of the implementation of the UVVRP, the last numerical digit of the conduction stickers shall determine the day the vehicle is covered by the number coding,” Tolentino said.

MMDA traffic enforcers flagged-down and issued traffic violation tickets to motorists who are driving vehicles on EDSA using conduction stickers that ended in 1 and 2. Vehicles with license plates ending in 3 and 4 are banned on Tuesdays; 5 and 6 on Wednesdays; 7 and 8 on Thursdays; and 9 and 0 on Fridays.

Tolentino also earlier warned dealers and owners of brand new vehicles to refrain from detaching the conduction sticker from their vehicles. They are likewise required to prominently display the conduction sticker numbers on the spaces allotted for regular license plates in front and at the rear of the vehicle for the efficient implementation of the UVVRP. This shall be immediately replaced with the regular LTO plates once issued.

"This improvisation is only for the purpose of UVVRP implementation. The regulation shall not supplant any law, rules and regulations concerning vehicle registration. Upon the installation of LTO-issued license plates, the vehicle shall be covered by the UVVRP using the last numerical digit of the license plate as basis,” Tolentino said.

According to the MMDA, a fine of  P300  will be imposed on violators of the new number coding guidelines. - Mike Frialde