MMDA: Number coding during afternoon rush hours back this week

(INQUIRER file photo / LYN RILLON)

MANILA, Philippines — The Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program or number coding scheme in Metro Manila is expected to be reimplemented this week, but only during the afternoon rush hours, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Benhur Abalos said Monday.

Abalos said majority of Metro Manila mayors have signed a resolution to reinstate the number coding scheme  and it is just waiting to be printed in the Official Gazette.

“Napirmahan na ng lahat, we’re going to have it printed in the Official Gazette, give us two or three days, ia-announce namin. To give enough time to our kababayans to be prepared,” he told INQUIRER.net in a phone interview.

(The mayors have signed the resolution and we’re going to have it printed in the Official Gazette, give us two or three days, we will announce it. To give enough time to our kababayans to be prepared.)

“Yes, within the week, definitely,” he added.

The number coding scheme will be implemented on Mondays to Fridays from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., except holidays.

“Hindi na siya whole day,” Abalos clarified.

Public utility vehicles are exempted from the scheme, he added. These include tricycles and transport network vehicle services.

Also exempted are motorcycles, garbage trucks, fuel trucks, and motor vehicles carrying essential or perishable goods, Abalos said.

The number coding scheme was suspended when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out in 2020 due to strict quarantine restrictions that drastically limited public transportation options.

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