MMDA to expand number coding scheme starting August 15

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is set to expand the number coding scheme. The agency will be implementing the number coding during the morning rush hour starting August 15.

EDSA Estrella 

That said, number coding will be from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. starting August 15. The expanded number coding will be implemented after the Metro Manila Council (MMC) approved the MMDA Resolution No. 22-14 Series of 2022.

The decision to add number coding during the morning rush or peak hour is due to the expected increase in vehicle volume in the National Capital Region (NCR) in relation to the resumption of face-to-face classes on August 22.  

The MMDA will still be providing window hours where the number coding will not be put into effect, which will be between 10 a.m. onwards, and before 5 p.m. (10:01 a.m. up to 4:59 p.m.).   

New MMDA acting chairman Carlos Dimayuga said that the agency will not apprehend violators from August 15 to 17. This is to inform the motoring public regarding the expanded number coding hours. However, the MMDA will start to issue tickets to violators on August 18. 

"From August 15 to 17, we will start the dry run and will only remind motorists of the expanded number coding scheme. From August 18 onwards, the MMDA will start apprehending and will issue traffic violation tickets on ground and through our non-contact apprehension policy," MMDA Acting Chairman Engineer Carlo Dimayuga said.

"Exempted from the UVVRP are public utility vehicles (including tricycles), transport network vehicle services, motorcycles, garbage trucks, fuel trucks, marked government vehicles, fire trucks, ambulances, marked media vehicles, and motor vehicles carrying essential and/or perishable goods," Dimayuga added.

As such, vehicles with license plates ending in 1 and 2 are prohibited on Monday, 3 and 4 on Tuesday, 5 and 6 on Wednesday, 7 and 8 on Thursday, 9 and 0 on Friday during the said coding hours.

The MMDA added that the expanded number coding scheme will reduce traffic by 20 percent during the morning and afternoon/evening rush hours.

Meanwhile, number coding in Makati City will still be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Friday. This is confirmed by the Makati Public Safety Department (PSD). 

Last June 2022, the MMDA said that the proposed expanded number coding scheme is no longer needed due to the rising fuel prices. Former MMDA chairman Romando Artes said it is no longer necessary as vehicle volume on EDSA has decreased.  

As a review, the agency previously proposed to implement a two-day number coding scheme. This prohibits private vehicles on roads from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. two days a week, depending on the last digit of the license plate.

With the recent update, it seems that the new MMDA acting chief will not push through with the proposal made by the previous chairman as of this writing.

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