MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) suspended yesterday the implementation of the modified number coding scheme in the metropolis. The traffic scheme was supposed to take effect today.
MMDA spokesperson Celine Pialago said the agency deferred its implementation amid the limited capacity of public transportation in Metro Manila, which remains under general community quarantine (GCQ) until June 15.
Pialago said the modified number coding scheme remains suspended “until further notice.”
“Sa ngayon po, hindi muna i-implement ang modified number coding scheme,” Pialago told reporters. “Marami pa ding tayong kababayan na nahihirapang sumakay ngayong GCQ, kaya po kami sa MMDA, ayaw po muna naming bigyan ng dagdag-isipin ang mga motorista (Many people are having difficulty getting a ride. So we do not want to add burden to the motorists).”
Pialago said they expect more people to return to work “so we found it proper to let them maximize the use of their vehicles.”
She said the Department of Transportation and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board have opened additional bus routes in Metro Manila to serve more commuters.
The modified number coding scheme allows coded vehicles to travel along major roads in Metro Manila, provided these carry two or more passengers.
Private cars are exempted from the traffic policy if the occupants observe physical distancing and are all wearing face masks, according to the MMDA.
Vehicles transporting doctors, nurses and other medical personnel are also excused from the traffic scheme.
The MMDA said authorized persons outside residence, as specified in the guidelines of the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, are also exempted from the modified number coding scheme.
The number coding policy, which bans vehicles from plying major roads in Metro Manila on weekdays depending on the last digits of their plate numbers, was suspended in March when the government imposed enhanced community quarantine in Luzon amid the coronavirus pandemic.
MMDA general manager Jojo Garcia also announced that the truck ban would remain suspended.
“We do not want to hamper the delivery of essential goods and raw materials,” Garcia said.