MMDA warns motorists vs using fake ‘coding’ exemption papers

Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando warned motorists yesterday against using fake Unified Vehicle Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) exemption documents.

He reminded owners of both public and private vehicles of serious consequences of falsifying public documents and using the same to go around the law.

"Huwag na huwag ninyong gagawin," Fernando said in his weekly radio program MMDA sa GMA yesterday.

According to him, those caught with fake exemptions face suspension or revocation of driver’s licenses and the possible impounding of the vehicle.

The UVVRP, or number coding scheme, is implemented by the MMDA and local government units (LGUs) to ease vehicle volume on Metro Manila’s streets on specific days depending on the last digit number of the license plate.

Private and public vehicles with license plates ending in 1 and 2 are barred from all roads on Mondays, 3 and 4 on Tuesdays, 5 and 6 on Wednesdays, 7 and 8 on Thursdays, and 9 and 0 on Fridays.

The UVVRP is implemented in all Metro Manila cities and municipalities from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., except in San Juan and Mandaluyong.

The MMDA allows so-called window hours from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., allowing motorists with vehicles covered by the UVVRP for the day to use roads and streets for five hours.

Makati City implements its own UVVRP as a local law without window hours which means that the number coding scheme in the locality remains in effect for a full 12 hours.

The MMDA issues exemptions to some car owners who are able to justify why their vehicles should not be barred from using Merro Manila’s roads and streets once a week.

Fernando said some motorists are now illegally reproducing exemption documents or certificates by photocopying genuine ones.

He said those caught face severe penalties because their names would be placed on the alarm list of the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

"Mas mabuti pang mahuli ka na lang sa coding, P300 lang ang multa. Pero pag nahuli kayong may pekeng exemption, we can suspend or revoke your driver’s license," he said

Fernando noted that the agency’s traffic enforcers know which exemption certificates are genuine and which are fake since they can identify signatures.

He further warned that falsification of public documents is already a crime.

The MMDA, he explained, issues exemptions to very few vehicle owners including one-day passes for special occasions like weddings, hospital trips, and emergencies.

Fernando advised vehicle owners to simply follow the law and use time management since they can avail of window hours. – Michael Punongbayan