MMDA suspends ‘until further notice’ modified number coding scheme

MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Sunday announced that the modified number coding scheme which was scheduled for implementation starting Monday, June 8, is suspended “until further notice.”

In a statement, the MMDA said the suspension was due to the “limited operations of public transportation in Metro Manila.”

“The MMDA ’s Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) or number coding scheme is still suspended on Monday, June 8, until further notice due to limited operations of public transportation in Metro Manila,” the agency said.

The MMDA originally intended to implement the modified number coding scheme, where vehicles “coded” or are prohibited on Metro roads based on the last digit of their license plates, are exempted from the UVVRP if two or more passengers are inside. The modification of the UVVRP aims to maximize the passenger-carrying capacity of vehicles.

Also exempted from the modified number coding rule are vehicles driven by health workers.

Even as Metro Manila, tagged as the epicenter of the coronavirus disease, has shifted to the more relaxed general community quarantine (GCQ), jeepneys, and city buses, aside from point-to-point buses, are still prohibited to ferry passengers.

The Department of Transportation, meanwhile previously said that the resumption of public transportation in Metro Manila and in the other GCQ areas will be done in two phases.

/MUF