A new number coding scheme could be passed by May 2022

If you’ve been out and about in the last few months, you’ll note that traffic isn’t getting any better on the weekdays or even the weekends. As such, the MMDA has taken action and could start implementing a new number coding scheme by May 2022. 

The revised unified vehicle volume reduction program, or UVVRP, could make private vehicles banned on EDSA for two days a week instead of one, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. The MMDA took to its social media pages to ask what motorists thought of the new number coding scheme, and the reception was not so lukewarm in the comments section. 

The government agency has submitted the proposal to the Metro Manila Council yesterday, and the council will deliberate on the proposal. After deliberations, the council’s expected to pass the proposal after Holy Week. 

According to the new scheme, the MMDA will assign two days to vehicles wherein they’re disallowed on EDSA from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. 

The coding scheme is as follows: 

• 1 and 2: Monday, Wednesday 
• 3 and 4: Monday, Thursday 
• 5 and 6: Tuesday, Thursday 
• 7 and 8: Tuesday, Friday 
• 9 and 0: Wednesday Friday 

With this coding scheme in place, motorists in the metro are expected to make for their homes earlier than 5:00 PM or later than 7:00 PM. It is with this new number coding scheme that the MMDA hopes it will be able to alleviate the traffic in the metro, citing that they’re expecting the flow of traffic to improve and the congestion to lighten on one of the country’s busiest roads. 

Still, there is a chance that mayors will oppose or have concerns regarding the new coding scheme. At this point in time, the new coding scheme is still not in effect, so for now the MMDA will still enforce the one day number coding.