The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is planning to remove the window hours for the number coding scheme to ease traffic congestion during the holiday season.
The MMDA might lift the window hours of 10:01 a.m. to 4:59 p.m., which means that the number coding will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays, except for holidays. However, it will first monitor the traffic situation from November 6 to 12 before it decides to push through with it.
The number coding scheme prohibits vehicles from using major roads in Metro Manila based on the last digit of their license plates. Vehicles with plates ending in 1 and 2 are banned on Mondays, 3 and 4 on Tuesdays, 5 and 6 on Wednesdays, 7 and 8 on Thursdays, and 9 and 0 on Fridays.
The scheme does not apply to public transportation, motorcycles, garbage trucks, ambulances, and other marked government and media vehicles.
Makati City is the only local government unit that does not have window hours and implements the number coding from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The agency will also suspend the number coding scheme on October 30 for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) and on November 1 and 2 for All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
Meanwhile, the MMDA will increase the penalties for drivers who violate the EDSA bus lane. The new fines are as follows:
- First offense: ₱5,000
- Second offense: ₱10,000, seminar, and one-month suspension of driver’s license
- Third offense: ₱20,000, one-year suspension of driver’s license
- Fourth offense: ₱30,000 and revocation of driver’s license
According to the MMDA, these measures are aimed at reducing traffic congestion and ensuring smooth travel for motorists and commuters during the holidays.
