There will be no number coding for private and public vehicles beginning Holy Wednesday until Monday next week, according to the Metro Manila Development Authority.
In its advisory Monday, the MMDA stated the “Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program or the number coding scheme is suspended from Holy Wednesday, April 17 until Monday, April 22, in line with the observance of the Holy Week.”
“The suspension of the number coding is to ensure that there is enough public utility vehicles to serve commuters heading to their respective provinces and allow motorists to use their vehicles going to their destinations up to their return to Metro Manila after the Lenten break,” the agency stated.
The number coding scheme will resume on Tuesday, April 23.
The MMDA will enforce security measures in anticipation of an expected increase in the number of motorists and passengers headed for the provinces beginning Holy Wednesday.
MMDA chairman Danilo Lim ordered the deployment of 1,600 traffic personnel from April 17 until April 22 on major thoroughfares, major transport hubs, and key areas in the metropolis to ensure the safe and smooth flow of vehicular traffic during the observance of the Holy Week.
He also also imposed a “No Day Off and No Absent” policy among personnel tasked to manage and control traffic during the entire week.
“Traffic personnel will be fielded on traffic chokepoint areas in Metro Manila such as vicinity of bus terminals, roads leading to seaports, harbors, and airports; and major churches,” said Lim.
Roy Taguinod, MMDA Traffic Discipline Office Director for Enforcement, said simultaneous sidewalk clearing operations against illegal vendors will also be conducted this week within the vicinity of major churches where devotees make their Holy Week pilgrimage.”‹
