The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority is eyeing longer hours for the number coding scheme to lessen the volume of vehicles on Edsa, the capital鈥檚 main thoroughfare, and other major roads in the metropolis. (INQUIRER file photo / NI脩O JESUS ORBETA)
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is eyeing a whole day implementation of the number coding scheme as the capital region transitions to COVID-19 Alert Level 1 by Tuesday, March 1,聽 traffic czar Bong Nebrija said Monday.
鈥淣akikita na po natin 鈥榶ung pagbigat ng trapiko at 鈥榶ung pagdagdag ng volume ng mga sasakyan, hindi lang po sa Edsa kundi sa buong Kamaynilaan,鈥� Nebrija said on TeleRadyo鈥檚 Sakto.
(We have observed heavy traffic and the additional volume of vehicles, not only in Edsa, but in the entire Metro Manila.)
鈥淚sa sa mga options na cino-consider, 鈥榶un nga po, i-whole day, that鈥檚 one option. Additional 7 to 9 [a.m.] that鈥檚 another option,鈥� he added.
(One of the options that we consider is whole-day number coding. An additional 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., that鈥檚 another option.)
Currently, the number coding scheme enforced is from聽 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays, except holidays, and only covers private vehicles.
Nebrija said the MMDA will observe traffic patterns and vehicular volume for three days to one week before suggesting a recommendation to the Metro Manila Council.
Currently, around 345,000 vehicles use Edsa daily, lower than the pre-pandemic volume of 405,000.