The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said Thursday the number coding scheme is still suspended in the National Capital Region, except in Makati City where a modified coding scheme is being enforced.
“The Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) or the number coding scheme will continue to remain suspended while Metro Manila is under the Alert Level 3 quarantine classification beginning Oct. 16 to Oct 31, 2021,” the MMDA said in its advisory.
MMDA chairman Benjamin Abalos Jr. said although the number of COVID-19 cases is declining in Metro Manila, public transportation is still not operating normally.
“If we implement the number coding scheme now, can our public transport accommodate passengers given the minimum health protocols such as social distancing needed to be implemented?” Abalos said.
The MMDA cited the possibility that once the number coding is re-enforced, people might resort to carpooling and compromise their health and safety.
The agency’s 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 agency suspended the policy since the government implemented a community quarantine in Metro Manila amid the pandemic.
In Makati City, local government officials said the modified number coding is strictly being implemented in the city.
“Please be informed that the Modified Number Coding scheme is still strictly implemented in Makati except weekends and holidays. The Modified Number Coding scheme exempts vehicles with two or more people from being apprehended,” the city’s public information office stated in an advisory.