Vehicles carrying relief goods exempted from truck ban, number coding

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Monday said that vehicles delivering relief goods and materials to repacking centers for the victims of super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) will be exempted from the truck ban and the number-coding scheme.

MMDA general manager Corazon Jimenez said the vehicles' exemption from the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program is contained in a memorandum signed by Chairman Francis Tolentino.

Tolentino has been designated as the head of the task force for debris clearing in Tacloban City, one of the hardest hit areas by the calamity.

The exemption from the number coding scheme also covers heavy vehicles ferrying relief goods to three identified relief repacking centers-- the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, the Department of Social Welfare and Development relief station located at NAIA Road, Pasay City and Air 21 Warehouse in Old MIA Road, Barangay Vitalez, Paranaque City.

Jimenez said that the number coding and truck ban exemption will be in effect until November 30.

The exemption aims to expedite the delivery of much needed relief goods in areas worst hit by the super typhoon.

The modified truck ban policy is implemented between 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. except Sundays and holidays.

Meanwhile, the number coding scheme bans vehicles from major thoroughfares once a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. depending on the last digit of their license plates.