THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has recommended two new number coding schemes, one of them banning cars from major roads twice a week, as the agency tries to improve the traffic problem in the metropolis which has worsened under Alert Level 1.
The first option, which is intended to reduce traffic volume by 50 percent, will have cars with plate numbers ending in 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 not allowed on roads every Monday and Thursday while cars with plate numbers ending in 2, 4, 6, 8 and 0 are not allowed every Tuesday and Friday. Under this scheme, all cars are allowed on roads every Wednesday.
Under the second option, intended to reduce traffic volume by 40 percent, cars with plate numbers ending in 1, 2, 3, and 4 are not allowed on roads every Monday; 5, 6, 7 and 8 not allowed every Tuesday; 9, 0, 1 and 2 not allowed every Wednesday; 3, 4, 5, and 6 not allowed every Thursday; and 7, 8, 9 and 0 not allowed every Friday.
There will be no coding every Saturday and Sunday.
The proposed new number coding schemes will be in effect during morning and evening rush-hour periods — from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. in the morning and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the evening.
MMDA Chairman Romando Artes presented these options during the Talk to the people address of President Duterte.
Artes said another proposal is to retain the present coding system, where vehicles with plate numbers ending in 1and 2 are banned during rush hours of Monday; 3 and 4 on Tuesday; 5 and 6 on Wednesday; 7 and 8 on Thursday; and 9 and 0 on Friday but this only reduces traffic by 20 percent.
He said another proposal is to observe daylight saving time or to open and close offices by an hour earlier, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. instead of the current 8 p.m. to 5 p.m. He said the Civil Service Commission is still being consulted regarding this proposal.
Artes said also being considered is the 10-hour, four-day work week or the four-day onsite-one-day work from home scheme that the CSC is supporting.
In a 2018 report by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, it said that the heavy traffic in Metro Manila results in a P3.5 billion lost income and opportunities per day. — with Azhel Hachero
