MMDA lifts number coding for 2nd straight day

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) lifted for the second straight day the number coding scheme due to “inclement weather” and an ongoing transport strike.

The suspension of the unified vehicular volume reduction program, or number coding scheme, comes hours after Malacañang announced the cancellation of government work and classes in all levels on Tuesday, Oct. 17.

As of writing, the MMDA said Makati and Las Piñas had yet to decide if they would also lift the implementation of the number coding scheme in their cities.

On Monday, upon the recommendation of transport authorities monitoring the strike led by militant group Piston, Malacañang said government work and classes would resume. This led the MMDA to announce that the number coding scheme would be enforced on Tuesday.

Palace officials, however, backtracked on their own announcement late Monday evening, saying the second day of the strike would coincide with bad weather. Students and government workers who might not get rides due to the strike could get rained on and get sick.

They, however, left the suspension of work in the private sector to the discretion of employers.

Based on the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration’s forecast, Tropical Storm “Paolo” will not hit any of the country’s landmass. /cbb