MMDA studying proposed daylight saving time amid heavy NCR traffic under Alert Level 1

The government is studying the implementation of daylight saving time amid the heavy vehicular traffic observed under Alert Level 1 in the National Capital Region (NCR).

According to Cedric Castillo's report on Unang Balita on Friday, daylight saving time was among the recommendations received by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

"Baka daw po puwede na ang pasok sa gobyerno at ang yung mga transaksiyon sa gobyerno ay simulan ng 7 o' clock at mag-end ng 4 o' clock," said MMDA chairman Romando Artes.

"Yan pong isang oras na iyan sa pasok po ng gobyerno ay malaking bagay dahil hindi lamang ang pumapasok sa trabaho sa gobyerno ang apektado niyan kundi pati na rin po yung mga may transaksiyon sa gobyerno."

(It was recommended that work in the government will be from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. It will be a big thing because it will affect not only government workers but also those with transactions with the government.)

Artes said the MMDA would look into the recommendation.

Based on MMDA data, the daily volume of vehicle along EDSA before the COVID-19 pandemic was at 405,000. Before the series of bigtime oil price increases it was at 390,000. It went down to 370,000 during the price hikes.

At present, number coding is being implemented along EDSA from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The MMDA is studying whether it should also be implemented in the morning. —KBK, GMA News