MMDA’s number coding experiment extended for 2 weeks

For the next two weeks, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will continue with its experiment on the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) or the so-called number-coding scheme.

MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando announced yesterday that from Feb. 24 to 28, the number-coding scheme would be imposed only on private vehicles.

The following week, from March 3 to 7, all types of vehicles, including public utility vehicles, would be covered by the scheme.

Fernando explained that he needed two more weeks to come up with more data for a conclusive report.

The decision to extend the number-coding experiment was approved during the emergency meeting of the Metro Manila Council yesterday at the MMDA office.

During the two-week extension, Makati City and Mandaluyong City would remain unaffected as they have begged to be excluded from the trials.

Both cities have passed their respective ordinances calling for permanent UVVRPs in their areas.

According to Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay and Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Abalos Jr., their areas of jurisdiction could no longer afford any increase in vehicular volume, hence, the UVVRP had to remain.

During yesterday’s meeting, the council also approved the decision to lift the exemption of public utility buses from the UVVRP.

Since July 1996, buses have been enjoying an exemption from the UVVRP as stated in a memorandum of agreement signed between the MMDA and bus operators’ associations.

The MMDA, during the three-week experiment which ended yesterday, saw that one of the major causes of heavy traffic in the metropolis was the big volume of public utility vehicles, including the buses, plying major thoroughfares.