Metro Manila Council plans quarterly review of 'coding' scheme

News last week indicated that the ‘double-coding’ scheme is not pushing through. That is a relief to motorists.

The Metro Manila Council (MMC) wants to move forward more cautiously and regularly appraise the UVVRP (Unified Vehicle Volume Reduction Program) or number-coding scheme to see its effectiveness in reducing traffic.

According to the policy-making body of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the MMC has submitted a proposal for a quarterly evaluation of the number coding scheme. They hope it is approved and enforced before the end of President Duterte’s term.

“Mayroon din naman pong panukala na every three months [ay] i-review kung sakali pong ipatutupad ito bago matapos ang termino ni Pangulong [Rodrigo] Duterte," said MMDA chairman Romando Artes.

[There is a proposal to review the policy every three months if it is enforced within the term of President Duterte]

With regards to changes to the current number coding scheme, Artes said that the MMDA will not tweak it until after the incoming administration has settled in. Also, the 17 mayors that make up the MMC are waiting to receive data regarding the current number-coding scheme and the conclusion of the study requested by Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto.

“Iyan po ay pagpupulungan namin once na matapos po iyong further study na iyan at magde-decide po ang MMC kung kailan ipapatupad itong bagong number coding scheme," added Artes.

[We will meet and discuss once this study is completed and the MMC will decide when we will enforce a new number coding scheme]

For now, the 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM (7:00 AM to 7:00 PM in Makati) number coding scheme remains in effect, prohibiting vehicles with plates ending in 1 and 2 on Mondays; 3 and 4 on Tuesdays; 5 and 6 on Wednesdays; 7 and 8 on Thursdays; and 9 and 0 on Fridays from plying the roads of Metro Manila.