Now that Metro Manila is under Aler Level 1, have you noticed the increase in cars on the road? MMDA is eyeing to implement the number coding scheme from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s (MMDA) newest chairman Romando Artes told reporters that the agency does not yet see the need to expand the number coding scheme being implemented to reduce the number of cars in Metro Manila’s streets.
The MMDA currently implements the Modified Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) wherein the number coding scheme is only implemented from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Mondays to Fridays, including holidays.
Exempted from the coding are public utility vehicles, transport network vehicles services (TNVS), motorcycles, utility trucks, and those carrying perishable and/or essential goods.
Their most recent reminder of the UVVRP on their social media sites was met with complaints asking for the resumption of the pre-pandemic schedule which was from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
“Sana buong araw na grabe na ang traffic ang pataas ng pataas pa naman ang gasolina,” wrote one netizen.
Last March 1, Artes told dZBB that they are closely monitoring the vehicle volume count along EDSA to determine the need to expand the UVVRP.
According to MMDA data, traffic congestion on EDSA is usually from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., but “time in traffic is just short.”
“It eases immediately. This is why we are not seeing any reason to expand the number coding scheme,” Artes said.
Back in February, MMDA raised the possibility of expanding the modified number coding scheme in the morning, from 7:00 to 9:00 a.m.
Artes clarified that the agency cannot implement the UVVRP for an entire day because Metro Manila’s public transportation system still isn’t running at full capacity.
The local government of Makati, however, will start to reimplement their own number coding scheme starting March 16, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
“Exemptions are removed except for vehicles carrying Senior Citizen Blu Cardholders as drivers or passengers and those under official functions and medical emergencies as stated in the Makati Traffic Code,” the announcement read.
Tags: #traffic, #MetroManila, #MMDA, #EDSA