MMDA to lift coding as early as tomorrow

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is expected to officially announce the lifting of the Unified Vehicle Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) tomorrow (Wednesday).

The number coding scheme will remain suspended stay until classes for all levels resume in June.

"In principle, there was no opposition among our local chief executives so the suspension might begin as early as Wednesday," MMDA Deputy Chairman Cesar Lacuna told The Star.

The MMDA is now simply waiting for the signatures of the members of the Metro Mayors Council (MMC) to complete the resolution lifting the UVVRP.

Lacuna expressed confidence that the suspension of the number coding scheme, which bans vehicles from using all roads for a day, will achieve its purpose of giving motorists a taste of hassle-free driving in Metro Manila for more than two months.

MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando earlier announced the agency’s plan to lift the UVVRP for the longest period yet, after observing that the vehicle volume in the metropolis decreases significantly during the summer months.

The idea was discussed during the MMC regular monthly meeting last week and none of the Metro Manila’s mayors really "opposed" it.

Once in effect, motorists will be able to enjoy using vehicles everyday without fear of being apprehended.

However, the lifting of the UVVRP will not affect Makati City, which implements its own version of the number coding scheme as a local law.

Department of Public Safety (DPS) chief Herminigildo San Miguel said there aren’t many schools in Makati City, which means that the idea of suspending the number coding scheme because of the summer break will not apply.