MMDA plans to implement twice-a-week number coding rule

MANILA: The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is eyeing to implement a new number coding scheme in May, the agency’s chairman Romando Artes announced.

Artes recently presented the MMDA’s proposal which will prohibit vehicles from plying roads in Metro Manila twice a week, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The new number coding system aims to reduce traffic volume by 40%, the MMDA believes. 

The following is the proposed schedule of the new number coding:

• Plate numbers ending in 1 and 2 – Monday, Wednesday. 
• Plate numbers ending in 3 and 4 – Monday, Thursday.
• Plate numbers ending in 5 and 6 – Tuesday, Thursday.
• Plate numbers ending in 7 and 8 – Tuesday, Friday.
• Plate numbers ending in 9 and 0 – Wednesday, Friday.

Artes noted that the new number coding scheme is subject to the approval of mayors in the Metro. 

"We submitted the proposal to the Metro Manila Council and we expect that they will approve it after Holy Week," the MMDA chairman was quoted as saying. 

The agency aims to implement the twice-a-week coding by May 1 or 16. 

Meanwhile, MMDA has suspended the current number coding in observance of Holy Week. 

Photo from Kap Maceda Aguila  

Also read: Decoding Metro Manila's number coding scheme