MMDA eyeing expansion of number-coding scheme to ease Metro traffic

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Wednesday morning announced details of the proposed expanded number-coding scheme to solve the capital region's traffic problem.

MMDA spokesperson Celine Pialago clarified during an interview on Unang Balita that the expanded number-coding scheme was just a proposal and not yet for implementation at this stage.

"In case, gusto ko lang linawin baka mag-panic iyong mga kababayan natin, hindi pa po for implementation ito," Pialago said.

She said MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim just floated the idea to encourage other quarters to join in and suggest better ones.

Under the proposed two-day number-coding scheme, vehicles with license plate numbers ending in 1, 2, 3 and 4 will be banned on major thoroughfares in Manila on Monday; vehicles with plate numbers ending in 5, 6, 7 and 8 will be banned on Tuesday; and vehicles with plate number ending in 9, 0, 1, and 2 will be banned on Wednesday.

Vehicles with plate numbers ending in 3, 4, 5 and 6 will be banned on Thursday and vehicles with plate numbers ending in 7, 8, 9 and 0 will be banned again on Friday.

Pialago said the expanded number-coding scheme is projected to cut the 2.6 million daily volume of vehicles in Metro Manila streets by another 25 percent.

The MMDA spokesperson, meanwhile, said that the success of the proposed expanded scheme will not be achieved without the help of other government agencies, including the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

"We need the help of every agency so si DOTr po we're expecting na kapag ito ay na-implement na we have to make sure din po [an improvement of] the public [mass] transport system," she said.

"Biruin n'yo ho 'yung bilang ng mga magsasakripisyo, kung meron man ho at we hope na meron, lahat ho yan sasakay ng MRT (Metro Rail Transit). 'Yung mga bus ho, gaano ho ka-secured 'yung mga bus natin, 'yung mga colorum, maayos na po ba? Wala na ho ba? So kailangan ho natin ng kooperasyon ng DOTr, but not for us to speak on their behalf," she added.

Pialago, meanwhile, said that the MMDA's other traffic-reduction programs are ongoing including the daily clearing of sidewalks and secondary roads near EDSA that are designated as alternate routes.

She said the MMDA has been plotting programs to solve the traffic problem in the capital region because they have received reports that traffic jams do not only occur during rush hours.

"Wala na hong pinipiling oras talaga ngayon. Kaya ho nag-come up tayo ng ganitong idea kahit ho lunch time magtataka ka, may mga pumapasok pa pala ng lunch time, may umaalis pa so sograng bigat na po [ng daloy ng trapiko]," she said. —ALG/KVD, GMA News