MMDA yet to see need to expand number coding scheme

MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) does not see the need yet to expand the number coding scheme.

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

READ: Number coding during rush hours in Metro Manila to begin Dec. 1

“Sa ngayon naman po, hindi pa po namin nakikita na dapat palawakin ang ating number coding. We’ll decide po ‘pag talagang sa tingin namin ay hindi na po kaya or talagang masikip na masikip na at kailangan pang magbawas ng bilang ng sasakyan sa kalsada,” MMDA General Manager and officer in charge Romando Artes said on TeleRadyo’s Sakto Monday.

(As of now, we do not see the need to expand our number coding. We’ll decide when we see that roads are really congested and the number of cars on the road need to decrease.)

“Pero sa ngayon po, lalong-lalo na hindi pa naman po normal ‘yung ating pampublikong transportasyon, ayaw naman po natin na makadagdag pa sa gagamit ng pampublikong transportasyon ‘yung may mga sasakyan na pwede naman po nilang gamitin, lalo na sa pagpasok sa kanilang trabaho,” he added.

(But for now, especially our public transportation is not yet back to normal, we do not want those with cars to add up to the number of commuters because they have their own vehicle to go to work.)

Artes noted that there was an increase in the number of vehicles passing along Edsa when the capital region shifted from Alert Level 3 to 2.

“Dati po sa Alert Level 3, talaga pong light ‘yung daloy ng traffic all throughout the day. Pero ngayon po, nakakakita na po kami na mga oras na sumisikip po ang daloy ng traffic,” he explained.

(Under Alert Level 3, the traffic is light all throughout the day. But now, there are times when the traffic becomes congested.)

READ: Traffic moderate in most major thoroughfares—MMDA

“Medyo nagmo-moderate to slow moving na po tayo sa ilang pangunahin na lansangan at saka normally po ito’y nangyayari… sa hapon na rush hour,” he continued.

(The traffic at times is moderate to slow moving in major thoroughfares and normally, it happens in the afternoon rush hour.)

According to Artes, there are around 345,000 vehicles traversing along Edsa per day. Pre-pandemic, the cars passing the avenue are at 405,000.

je