The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) may resume the implementation of the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP), or number coding scheme, any day this week to alleviate traffic congestion along Edsa as the number of vehicles is getting closer to pre-pandemic figures, which is over 400,000.
MMDA Chairman Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. said Metro Manila mayors have unanimously approved the resolution on the reimplementation of number coding scheme “but with modification.”
Under the modified number coding scheme, Abalos said the prohibition on motor vehicles shall only be implemented from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
“The number coding scheme will be implemented any day this week during rush hour in the afternoon, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.,” said Abalos.
It will only be implemented from Monday to Friday except holidays and will only cover private vehicles.
The resolution has yet to be published on the Official Gazette before its reimplementation, said Abalos.
Exempted from the scheme are public utility vehicles (PUVs), Transportation Network Vehicle Services (TNVS), motorcycles, garbage trucks, fuel trucks, motor vehicles carrying essential and perishable goods.
Abalos said stickers shall be issued to TNVS as they could not be easily identified while traversing the streets, citing “we (MMDA) are in coordination with the TNVS on the implementation of rules and regulations regarding this concern.”
Meanwhile, Abalos said the implementation of the uniform light trucks ban, also with modification, will push through.
Based on the UVVRP motor vehicle plate endings, light trucks cannot ply EDSA between Magallanes, Makati City and North Avenue, Quezon City, both northbound and southbound, from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. from Mondays to Fridays, except holidays.
“Light trucks” refer to motor vehicles, whether for commercial use or not, with a gross capacity weight of 4,500 kilograms or below and/or having six or more tires, the payload area of which are either enclosed or open.
