MMDA: Number coding also lifted on Dec. 23, 29

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is also lifting the number coding scheme on Dec. 23 and 29 to make it easier for the public to go home to their provinces for the holidays.

Observing that bus firms had reported full bookings for provincial trips, MMDA officer in charge and general manager Tim Orbos said the early lifting of the number coding scheme—formally called the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP)—would allow motorists to use their own vehicles to get to their destinations.

However, he reminded motorists to drive carefully, check the condition of their car and avoid drunk driving in order not to cause accidents which may cause heavy traffic or worse, leave them injured or dead.

In anticipation of heavier traffic flow in the last Friday before Christmas Day, the MMDA also deployed an additional 150 enforcers to Edsa, bringing to 525 the number of enforcers assigned to the busy thoroughfare.

Earlier, the MMDA lifted the number coding scheme for provincial buses starting at 1 p.m. on Dec. 22 until Dec. 23. The UVVRP scheme will not be enforced on Saturday and Sunday (Dec. 24 and 25). It will again be suspended on Dec. 29, Thursday, and Jan. 2, 2017, Monday.

Since Dec. 26 and Jan. 2 were also declared by Malacañang as special nonworking holidays, the number coding scheme for private cars will also be lifted on these dates.

Orbos also said that the MMDA was continuously conducting clearing operations on the 17 Mabuhay Lanes.