Metro Manila Development Authority acting chairman Thomas Orbos has suspended the issuance of exemptions to the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) or the number coding scheme as the agency is reevaluating existing policies aimed to improve traffic in the metropolis.
“The volume of vehicles is there but we have to revisit the policies on the exemptions under the UVVRP because this might defeat the purpose of reducing the number of cars on the roads,” said Orbos.
Orbos said the agency has been swamped with applications for exemptions from the number coding scheme. He added that the issuance of an exemption from the UVVRP is not mandatory but subject to evaluation and in consideration of exceptional humanitarian reasons.
He also reminded the public that the MMDA memorandum circular allows for automatic exemption without the need for exemption certificate under certain circumstances such as vehicles carrying person needing immediate medical attention, official and marked media vehicles, among others.
Under the coding scheme, vehicles with license plates ending in 1 and 2 are prohibited on major thoroughfares in Metro Manila every Monday; 3 and 4 every Tuesday; 5 and 6 every Wednesday; 7 and 8 every Thursday; and 9 and 0 every Friday. The scheme is lifted during Saturday, Sunday, and regular holidays.
A recent resolution from the Metro Manila Council, the MMDA’s supervising board and policy-making body, has suspended the 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. window hours until Jan. 31, 2017. The same resolution also expanded the UVVRP coverage to all radial and circumferential roads in the metropolis.
Orbos also announced the agency will suspend the planned Monday implementation of the zipper lane scheme from Main Avenue to Guadix in Ortigas.
The zipper lane was supposed to ease up the traffic flow in the Cubao-Ortigas corridor – considered as one of the most congested areas along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue.
Out of the 45 provincial bus terminals along Edsa, 26 are located in Cubao, while Ortigas has nine of the largest malls and two schools in proximity to the Edsa bus terminals. In addition, the area also holds a police and military camp along Edsa.
“We need to go back to the drawing board to make necessary adjustments,” Orbos said, in relation to the zipper lane dry run held last Friday. “But we cannot stop looking for solutions to address this area.”
While the zipper lane significantly reduced travel time on the southbound direction, it affected northbound traffic flow as result.
“We need to come out with solutions that would benefit the majority for the long term,” Orbos pointed out. “By its very nature, the zipper lane scheme just works as a release valve that can readily be utilized but not on a regular basis.”
According to the MMDA official, the traffic problems along Edsa are sectional, and therefore, solutions vary on by segment basis.
Among the other measures being studied specifically for the aforementioned area are the opening up of more roads to include building a new access road in the Santolan area; stricter anti-illegal parking enforcement; and queuing of vehicles at schools, restaurants, and other establishments will also be intensified.
“We need to exert our effort to find all ways and means to reduce congestion and make vehicles move before we even consider other measures being pushed such as the odd-even scheme,” Orbos said, apparently referring to some sectors pushing for stricter volume reduction measures.
“In the process, we will still pursue the zipper lane. It will be there like a safety valve ready to be opened when needed, “ he added.
