No need to expand number coding – MMDA

MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) yesterday said it does not see the need yet to expand the number coding scheme even if the National Capital Region has been placed under the most lenient COVID-19 Alert Level 1 status.

In an interview on dzBB, MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said on the first day of Alert Level 1, the agency recorded fewer vehicles traversing EDSA compared to the volume of cars during Alert Level 2.

Based on MMDA data, Artes said 367,535 vehicles passed through EDSA on March 1.

The figure is lower compared to the 372,528 vehicles that passed through EDSA during the first day of implementation of Alert Level 2.

The speed of vehicles during Alert Level 1 was the same during Alert Level 2 at 21 kilometers per hour, according to Artes.

He said the MMDA would continue to monitor the daily vehicle volume count along EDSA to determine if there is a need expand the number coding scheme.

Artes said the agency observed traffic congestion on EDSA usually from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

“Traffic is concentrated during these hours. The time stuck in traffic is just short. It eases immediately. This is why we are not seeing any reason to expand the number coding scheme,” Artes said.

Currently, the number coding scheme is implemented weekdays from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., except holidays. It covers only private vehicles.

Public buses and jeepneys remain exempted from the number coding scheme.

Trucks are still banned along EDSA, except those carrying essential goods.

The MMDA earlier said it was planning to resume the number coding during morning rush hour.