MANILA, Philippines -- The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has suspended the number-coding system for vehicles starting Monday until Friday.

MMDA chair Bayani Fernando said the one-week suspension should enable the national and local government to rescue and provide relief to affected areas.

"It's meant to speed up rehabilitation efforts, so that life would return to normalcy," he said.

The number coding system bars private vehicles from using Metro Manila main roads on certain days of the week, based on the number in their license plates.