The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority is suspending its number coding scheme in the National Capital Region beginning Friday (March 13).
“The number coding scheme is suspended indefinitely for all types of vehicles (private and public) effective today March 13, 2020,” the MMDA stated in its advisory.
The agency made the indefinite suspension of the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) a day after President Rodrigo Duterte announced that the entire Metro Manila will be placed under “community quarantine” as recommended by the Health department in view of the recent development on the coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak.
“The number coding is now lifted starting this hour until further notice,” “ MMDA spokesperson Pircelyn Pialago said.
MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim said the suspension will also allow people in Metro Manila more mobility as they start an exodus going to and from provinces before the ‘lockdown’ in the NCR starts 12:01 a.m. Sunday.
He added that lifting the number coding will ensure that there will be enough public utility vehicles to serve commuters heading to their respective provinces and allow motorists to use their vehicles going to their destinations.
The MMDA also advised passengers to inform the management of their chosen bus company if they encounter problems during their trip.
The number coding system was devised to keep vehicles out of major thoroughfares on certain days based on the last digit of the license plate.
The system corresponds to 1 and 2 for Monday, 3 and 4 for Tuesday, 5 and 6 for Wednesday, 7 and 8 for Thursday, and 9 and 0 for Friday.
Under the number coding scheme, which aims to ease the volume of traffic on Metro Manila’s streets, vehicles are banned from major roads from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., depending on the last digit of their car registration plates.
In Makati, the city government also lifted its number coding scheme and ordered the suspension of work in city hall to give the people enough time to prepare for their travel.
“Work at Makati City Hall will be until 12 noon today, March 13, 2020, to give employees time to prepare for the community quarantine,” the city government said in its advisory Friday.