MMDA: Number coding suspended on Feb 9 for Chinese New Year

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Undersecretary Procopio Lipana believes there is no need to appoint a traffic czar to oversee the traffic situation in the metro. In a radio interview on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, the MMDA official said: “Our main problem, as we all know, is our infrastructure.” (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO)

MANILA, Philippines — The expanded number coding scheme will be suspended on February 9 for the celebration of the Chinese New Year, as the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced on Wednesday.

The Chinese New Year for this year falls on Saturday, February 10.

READ: Marcos: Feb. 9 a special non-working day for Chinese New Year

READ: What to know about Lunar New Year Celebrations in PH

READ: Chinese New Year: What’s in store for the Year of the Wood Dragon?

But President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared Friday, February 9, a special non-working day in the country to celebrate the holiday.

It was announced through Proclamation No. 453, issued on January 19.

“Regardless of the destination, always remember: plan the trip, obey traffic laws, and drive carefully,” the MMDA said in a Facebook post in Filipino.

The number coding scheme prohibits vehicles from traveling on Metro Manila roads based on the last digit of their license plates during the specified coding hours:

• 1 and 2 are covered on Mondays
• 3 and 4 on Tuesdays
• 5 and 6 on Wednesdays
• 7 and 8 on Thursdays
• 9 and 0 on Fridays

Since August last year, the MMDA has enforced the expanded number coding scheme but only during the morning and evening rush hours on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Local governments in Metro Manila may have modifications to the hours the coding scheme is implemented.