MMDA: Number coding may return under Alert 1

MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is studying the possibility of fully implementing the Unified Vehicle Volume Reduction Program or number coding scheme as the National Capital Region (NCR) shifts to Alert Level 1 beginning today.

The MMDA said limiting the number of vehicles plying major thoroughfares in the metropolis would help lessen the expected increase in vehicular traffic.

MMDA traffic czar Bong Nebrija said the Metro Manila Council, which is composed of mayors in the NCR, would decide, being the agency’s policy-making body.

“Nakikita na po namin ‘yung pagbigat ng trapiko at ‘yung pagdagdag ng volume ng mga sasakyan hindi lang sa EDSA kundi sa buong Metro Manila. Kaya ang gagawin natin, kukunin po natin ‘yung vehicular volume count once the Alert Level 1 starts,” Nebrija said in an interview on ABS-CBN.

Nebrija said data should be collected and collated for three to seven days “for us to make this observation para makita namin kung ibabalik ang number coding scheme or we can implement other traffic reduction programs.”

The MMDA has been implementing the number coding scheme from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. for private vehicles only.

Public buses and jeepneys are still exempted from the traffic reduction policy.

MMDA general manager Romando Artes said they are planning to resume the number coding scheme during morning rush hours.

“We are studying to widen the coverage of the modified number coding scheme from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.,” he said.

Artes said based on the assessment of the MMDA Traffic Discipline Office, light traffic situation is observed along major thoroughfares from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.