MMDA eyes implementation of new number coding in May

MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is eyeing to implement a new number coding scheme in May, the agency’s chairman Romando Artes said Tuesday, noting that it is subject to the approval of mayors in the capital region.

Artes recently presented the MMDA’s proposal which will prohibit vehicles from plying roads in Metro Manila twice a week, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., to reduce traffic volume by 40 percent.

“Isinumite na po natin ‘yan sa Metro Manila Council at ine-expect po natin after Holy Week maaaprubahan na po ito,” Artes said in a Laging Handa public briefing.

(We submitted the proposal to the Metro Manila Council and we expect that they will approve it after Holy Week.)

“Ang target date po ay May 1 pero pwede po natin ‘tong i-adjust sa May 16 dahil ito naman po ay bilang preparasyon sa darating na pasukan sa Hunyo,” he added.

(Our target date is May 1 but we can adjust it to May 16 since this is a preparation for the upcoming classes in June.)

READ: College classes back to full capacity in ‘level 1’ areas

Under the MMDA’s recommendation, each private vehicular unit, except motorcycles, will be prohibited to ply the roads from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., twice a week.

READ: No number coding scheme from April 12 to 15 — MMDA

The following is the proposed schedule of number coding:

Plate numbers ending in 1 and 2 – Monday, Wednesday

Plate numbers ending in 3 and 4 – Monday, Thursday

Plate numbers ending in 5 and 6 – Tuesday, Thursday

Plate numbers ending in 7 and 8 – Tuesday, Friday

Plate numbers ending in 9 and 0 – Wednesday, Friday

“From moderate to heavy, ine-expect po natin ang mga pangunahing lansangan natin would be light to moderate lamang at mapapabilis po ang daloy ng traffic,” Artes said.

(From moderate to heavy, we expect the main roads in the region to be light to moderate and it will hasten the traffic flow.)

Currently, the traffic coding scheme is from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. during weekdays and motorists’ vehicles are only prohibited once a week during the said hours.

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

The existing number coding only lowers traffic volume by 20 percent, the MMDA said.

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