MMDA: Number coding still suspended

MANILA, Philippines — The number coding scheme remains suspended as Metro Manila is still under general community quarantine, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said yesterday.

The traffic reduction scheme will not be enforced yet, MMDA spokesperson Celine Pialago said.

“It will not be back yet. Let us wait for the advice from MMDA chairman Danilo Lim,” Pialago said in an interview on dzBB.

The MMDA indefinitely suspended the unified vehicular volume reduction program in Metro Manila in March following the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Pialago said the MMDA does not expect Metro Manila’s traffic situation to worsen as “we are still facing COVID-19.”

“Of course there’s traffic jams, but that’s far from the daily average of 410,000 motorists passing through EDSA before the pandemic,” she said. “An average of 250,000 cars use EDSA during the pandemic.”

The MMDA also announced the closure of another U-turn slot to allow city buses and emergency vehicles exclusive access to the innermost lanes of EDSA.

The U-turn slot near Dario Bridge in Quezon City will be closed to northbound and southbound traffic starting tonight.

The agency advised motorists to use the U-turn slots under the Quezon Avenue flyover and another one near Oliveros Drive.

“Traffic signages were installed in the vicinity of the affected U-turn slot to guide the motorists,” the MMDA said.