MMDA wants to end the buying of 'coding' vehicles

The number-coding scheme or Unified Vehicle Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) was designed to reduce the vehicular volume on the road and ease traffic flow. That goal cannot be achieved if the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) cannot stop motorists from driving their vehicles because they purchase a new car with a new plate ending to avoid ‘coding.’

Well, the agency is looking for an ally and may have found one in the Land Transportation Office (LTO). The MMDA has admitted that they have formally sent a letter of request to the LTO asking them to issue plate licenses with the same last digit to motorists registering a new second (or third and so on) vehicle.

According to MMDA Chairman Romando Artes, this is to discourage the practice of purchasing another vehicle to be able to drive along the streets of Metro Manila when their other car is ‘coding.’

"Sumulat ang MMDA sa LTO para ang bibili ng bagong sasakyan na may existing na sasakyan ang ma-issue na ending plate ng bago niyang bibilhing sasakyan ay katulad ng existing na sasakyan nila," said Artes.

[The MMDA wrote to the LTO so that buyers of new cars, those with existing cars, are given an ending plate for their new car that is the same as their existing car] 

As an example, Artes stated that if Juan’s current vehicle has a plate number that ends with 0, if the LTO grants the MMDA’s request, the next car that Juan buys will also have a plate number that ends in 0.

While it seems like a reasonable inter-agency request, do you think this is fair? Chime in and let us know.