MMDA resumes number-coding Tuesday

Starting Tuesday, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will resume implementing the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) or the number-coding scheme. MMDA suspended the number scheme on major thoroughfares and roads in the metropolis during the observance of the Holy Week. MMDA Traffic Operations Center(TOC) Executive Director Lito Vergel De Dios said they expect heavy volume of vehicles after the Lenten season. “By Monday, April 9, vehicles plying the metropolis would start to increase after Metro Manila residents start to return from the provinces," De Dios said. He said that because April 9 is Araw ng Kagitingan, which is holiday, UVVRP is still suspended. De Dios also said more MMDA traffic enforcers will be deployed in the metropolis to man the roads with the increasing number of vehicles. “This is to [ease] traffic. Among the areas which are considered our priorities are Balintawak area in Quezon City because of the [high volume of] vehicles coming from North Luzon Expressway and Magallanes Intersection with heavy vehicles coming South Luzon Expressway," said de Dios. The vehicle reduction program was introduced in 1996 through MMDA Regulation 96-005 in order to have only one law for private and public utility vehicles. Under the program, all motor vehicles including tricycles and motorcycles, both public and private, are prohibited to operate on certain days of the week in all, national, city and municipal roads of Metro Manila, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The ban will depend on the last digit of the vehicle’s license plates: those ending in 1 and 2 are banned on Mondays; 3-4 on Tuesdays; 5-6 on Wednesdays; 7-8 on Thursdays and 9-0 on Fridays. - GMANews.TV