MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced that doctors on emergency duty and marked media vehicles will not be exempt from the odd-even traffic scheme set to take effect along EDSA starting June 16.
MMDA Chairman Don Artes said the scheme will replace the existing number coding system and apply uniformly, with exemptions granted only to select vehicles.
These include electric and hybrid cars recognized under the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act, non-motorized modes of transport, emergency response vehicles such as ambulances and fire trucks, public utility vehicles including buses and jeepneys, accredited transport network vehicles and authorized government vehicles providing essential services.
The policy is part of the government’s effort to ease congestion during the major rehabilitation of the capital’s main thoroughfare.
A dry run of the new scheme will be implemented over a month. During the dry run, MMDA traffic enforcers will stop vehicles that violate the new scheme but will not issue tickets or impose fines.
“The cooperation of our fellow citizens will simply be encouraged. There will be no apprehensions, no violations and no tickets issued. It will first be tested to see whether it is effective or not,” said Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon.
“If it turns out to be ineffective, the government may need to reconsider whether it should be implemented. If it is effective, then adjustments will be evaluated accordingly,” he added.
Under the odd-even system, vehicles with plate numbers ending in odd numbers will not be allowed to pass through EDSA on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, while those with even-numbered plates will be restricted on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The restriction will not apply on Sundays, when all vehicles are permitted.
On Monday, Dizon said that at least 100 additional buses will be deployed along the EDSA busway to accommodate displaced motorists and commuters.
Lawmakers are also calling on transport officials to reconsider how the policy may affect vulnerable sectors, particularly the elderly.
Amid growing concerns over the equity and viability of the EDSA odd-even traffic scheme, lawmakers are urging the MMDA to delay its implementation pending further evaluation and public consultation.
Agri party-list Rep. Wilbert Lee filed House Resolution 2294, calling for a suspension of the scheme until the MMDA completes a comprehensive socio-economic impact assessment, formulates alternate route strategies and holds wide-ranging consultations with stakeholders, including commuters, transport experts and workers.
“The government must not be a burden to the people,” Lee said in Resolution 2294 filed in Congress. – Jose Rodel Clapano