MMDA to reimpose morning number coding scheme on Aug. 15
Starting Aug. 15, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will reimpose its morning number coding scheme in major thoroughfares—ahead of the comeback of face-to-face classes in November.
The number coding scheme, or the Modified Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program, will take place from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., and from the usual 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Under the program, vehicles will be allowed on the road based on the ending of plate numbers on particular days of the week, except holidays.
Plate numbers ending in 1 and 2 are not allowed on Mondays; 3 and 4 on Tuesdays; 5 and 6 on Wednesdays; 7 and 8 on Thursdays; and 9 and 0 on Fridays.
Public utility vehicles, transport network vehicles, motorcycles, garbage trucks, tanker trucks, and vehicles with perishable and essential goods are exempted from the scheme.
The scheme has been in full swing before the COVID-19 pandemic, in a bid to curb traffic in the country's major thoroughfares, particularly EDSA.
The MMDA lifted the morning number coding scheme at the height of lockdowns, during which businesses moved their operations online.
In October 2021, former MMDA chairman Benhur Abalos told dzBB the number of cars plying EDSA daily was at 398,000, which is already close to the pre-pandemic level of 405,000.