METROPOLITAN Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Romando Artes yesterday announced that number coding will be enforced on private vehicles as early as this coming May 1 to ease traffic in major roads.
The proposal to reimpose the vehicle volume reduction scheme has been submitted to the Metro Manila Council (MMC) for approval, with the MMDA not anticipating any objection.
“We expect this to be approved after the Holy Week. We are eyeing May 1 but we can adjust it to May 16 to give us time to prepare for the opening of the new school year in June,” Artes said.
He said the number coding scheme has been proven to reduce traffic volume by as much as 40 percent during rush hour although he clarified that initial implementation is limited only to 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. for two days in a week.
This means private vehicles with license plates ending in 1 and 2 must stay off major roads during the evening rush hour of Monday and Wednesday; 3 and 4 every Monday and Thursday; 5 and 6 every Tuesdays and Thursdays; 7 and 8 every Tuesday and Friday; and 9 and 0 every Wednesday and Friday.
Artes said while the plan is to lessen vehicle number during the peak hours, the limited implementation should not significantly affect work and business operations.
“Instead of moderate to heavy, our commuters can expect traffic on major roads to remain light to moderate. Magagamit nyo po ‘yung oras na ‘yan na imbes na stuck kayo sa traffic, makakagawa kayo ng errands o makakapag-overtime sa trabaho (Perhaps people can use the time to do errands first or render overtime work instead of being stuck in traffic),” he said.
In anticipation of commuters leaving Metro Manila for the provinces during the Holy Week break, Artes appealed to the riding public to keep observing minimum health standards, particularly the proper wearing of face masks in public places.
As part of the yearly operations to assist commuters and motorists during Lent, the MMDA is dispatching 2,975 personnel, including traffic enforcers and emergency personnel, to help ensure safety on the roads and in major terminals.
In Metro Manila, Artes said the MMDA is working with the Land transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to address concerns raised by commuters about the shortage of buses servicing the EDSA bus carousel.
“Expect a major adjustment particularly on the number of buses on the EDSA Carousel. We are also deploying more motorcycle units to ensure that no buses will stay too long along the route so that there will be a faster flow,” he said.
Artes also said he will meet with Civil Service Commission (CSC) chairman Karlo Nograles after the Holy Week to discuss the implementation of the proposed adjustment of the working hours in government from the current 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. — With Jocelyn Montemayor
