MMDA eyes expanded number-coding scheme to solve traffic woes

To solve the heavy traffic situation in the National Capital Region, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) revealed on Tuesday that they were studying the possibility of expanding the number-coding scheme so that private vehicles would be banned from major thoroughfares twice a week. 

"So volume problem, talagang kailangan mabawasan 'yan. Siguro pwede namang konting sakripisyo pa para sa lahat. Baka pwedeng gawing two days out of every week ang hindi paggamit ng sasakyan," MMDA Chairman Danny Lim said in a Tuesday report on GMA 7 news program "24 Oras".

Under the current number coding scheme, vehicles are banned just once a week - vehicles with license plates ending in 1 and 2 are banned on Mondays; those ending in 3 and 4 on Tuesdays; those ending in 5 and 6 on Wednesdays; those ending in 7 and 8 on Thursdays; and those ending in 9 and 0 on Fridays.

The MMDA pointed out that there were 2.6 million registered vehicles in Metro Manila.

"We have more than 30% of vehicles na nagsama-sama dito sa less than 5% na road network. Napakahirap gumawa ng solusyon sa traffic kung padami ng padami 'yung sasakyan mo at 'yung kalsada mo ay 'di naman nadadagdagan," Lim explained.

Already, public transport groups and ordinary motorists are resistant to the expanded scheme.

"Magkakaroon ng malaking shortage na masasakyan ang ating mananakay pag ganyan," argued Piston national president George San Mateo. "Anti-poor 'yan. Ikalawa, pahirap 'yan sa mga drayber at operators."

The Pasang Masda meanwhile suggested that, instead of expanding the number scheme, additional traffic enforcers should instead be deployed.

"Higpitan ang pagtatrapik, maglagay ng mga traffic enforcers sa mga major intersections. Kawawa naman kaming mga public transport. Kami ay 24 na nagseserbisyo sa ating mga mananakay. Dapat nga i-exempt kami sa coding, eh. Dahil kami ang sinasakyan ng ating mahihirap at mga mananakay," said Pasang Masda president Obet Martin. — Anna Felicia Bajo/DVM, GMA News