Metro needs number coding, survey shows

The Unified Vehicle Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) or number coding scheme is a "most needed program" to solve Metro Manila’s problem, according to a recent survey commissioned by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

But MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando maintained that his pet project, the Organized EDSA Bus Route (OBR) or single bus dispatching scheme, is still the most effective solution to easing traffic on EDSA .

"(The UVVRP) is not necessarily the most effective, but it is the most popular," Fernando said when asked for comment on the survey results.

A reputable research group conducted the survey from Nov. 4 to 17 among 1,200 respondents coming from Class A to E in the National Capital Region (NCR).

Sixty-two percent of the respondents said that the UVVRP is the most needed program for traffic management in the metropolis while only 42 percent said it was the OBR or the yellow lane scheme.

The UVVRP has been in effect since the early ‘90s while the OBR and yellow lane schemes were implemented only recently.

Sixty percent said road widening projects will solve the traffic problem; 53 percent said it was the computerization of traffic signals; 46 percent believed it was the anti-jaywalking ordinance; 18 percent said towing and impounding; and another 18 percent said it was the U-turn slots in lieu of intersections.

Seventy-four percent from class ABC said they favored the UVVRP.

MMDA General Manager Robert Nacianceno said in a separate interview that the response of the ABC class to the number coding was a "surprise" since these are the motorists who are greatly affected by the program.

The UVVRP prohibits private and public motorists from using their vehicles on specific dates depending on the last digit of their license plate.

Nacianceno said the survey already showed a good public response to the OBR and yellow lane schemes considering that they have just been implemented.

He also said that Class D and E, whom he described as "the bus riding" public favored the OBR (44 percent each) more than the Class ABC (35 percent).

But Nacianceno said the MMDA was most pleased that the road widening program received the most positive response (61 percent) from Class D.

"They (Class D) are the ones benefiting from the road widening program. They are the ones walking on the streets. And they are usually the illegal street vendors," Nacianceno said.