New number coding scheme may begin after May 9 elections

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has proposed two new number coding schemes to address the increasing vehicle volume in the National Capital Region (NCR). 

The MMDA is consulting with other government agencies in regards to the new number coding scheme

The agency has yet to decide which of the two new number coding schemes will be implemented. As of this writing, the MMDA is conducting more consultations and cited that the new number coding could begin after the May 9 elections.  

MMDA general manager Frisco San Juan Jr. shared that the agency is consulting other government agencies in regards to which of the two proposed number coding schemes shall be put into effect. San Juan added that the MMDA is welcoming suggestions from other government agencies.   

“Nakikipag-usap pa po tayo sa other government agencies upang mabigyan din nila ng mga suhestiyon kung alin dun sa dalawa ang ating ipapatupad at maaari pong siguro after elections na po natin ipapairal,” San Juan said.

(We are still in discussion with other government agencies so they can give their suggestion on which of the two should be upheld, its implementation may happen after the elections). 

One of the proposed new number coding schemes by the MMDA is the odd-even format. MMDA chairman Romando Artes shared that the odd-even number coding can reduce traffic by 50 percent. 

The odd-even scheme prohibits vehicles with plates ending with odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) to drive on public roads on Monday and Thursday from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  

On the other hand, vehicles with plates ending with even numbers (2, 4, 6, 8, 0) are not allowed on public roads on Tuesday and Friday from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. 

The said odd-even scheme allows all vehicles to use public roads every Wednesday. This means that the number coding will be lifted on Wednesdays should the odd-even format is approved.  

MMDA says the current number coding scheme only reduces vehicle volume by 20 percent

The second proposal raised by the MMDA is said to reduce traffic by 40 percent. This proposal is quite more complicated than the odd-even format but it will still prohibit vehicles from driving along public roads for two weekdays. The second proposal will ban vehicles with plates ending in 1, 2, 3, and 4 on Monday. See below for reference.   

- Monday: plates ending in 1, 2, 3, 4

- Tuesday: plates ending in 5, 6, 7, 8

- Wednesday: plates ending in 9, 0, 1, 2

- Thursday: plates ending in 3, 4, 5, 6

- Friday: plates ending in 7, 8, 9, 0

The MMDA is proposing two new number coding schemes to help curb traffic in NCR. The agency added that the current number coding only reduces vehicle volume by 20 percent.

The current number coding scheme states that plate numbers ending in 1 and 2 are prohibited every Monday; 3 and 4 every Tuesday; 5 and 6 every Wednesday; 7 and 8 every Thursday; and 9 and 0 every Friday. The said number coding scheme is implemented from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

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