MMDA suspends number coding for provincial buses for 2 days

MANILA, Philippines – The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) ordered the exemption today and on Dec. 29 of all provincial commuter buses from the unified vehicular volume reduction program (UVVRP) or number coding in anticipation of the holiday rush.

MMDA Chairman Emerson Carlos said the exempted provincial buses comprise 20 percent or 660 units out of the 3,000 buses that enter Metro Manila from the provinces everyday.

Carlos said the exemption of provincial buses from the UVVRP would allow more vehicles to transport commuters from the metropolis to the provinces for the Christmas holiday.

The MMDA warned motorists to brace for heavy traffic today as shoppers do their last minute shopping in the various malls and markets.

Carlos said vehicles amassed in areas around shopping establishments affect major thoroughfares, especially EDSA, during rush hours.

The MMDA and officials of 15 major shopping malls earlier signed a manifesto to extend mall operating hours to help ease traffic in December. Major malls will operate from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. from Dec. 1 to Jan. 3.

Robinsons, SM and Ayala malls, Shangri-La Plaza, Farmers Plaza, Gateway Mall, Greenfield Development Corp., Eastwood City, The Podium, Eton Centris and Walter Mart agreed to extend operating hours.

“This has been a yearly practice for us to sign this agreement in order to ease vehicular and pedestrian traffic during the holiday season,” Carlos said.

Sen. Francis Escudero called on the MMDA to complement the members of the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (HPG) in manning traffic along EDSA and other major roads, particularly during the Christmas rush.

Escudero made the call following numerous complaints he received about MMDA traffic enforcers disappearing during peak hours along EDSA when traffic is nearly at a standstill.

With so many vehicles on the road, particularly on Friday nights, Escudero said that all traffic enforcers, both MMDA and HPG, should be on duty to ensure that there are no unnecessary obstacles.

He said the MMDA is expected to be better prepared in managing traffic flow in other major intersections in the coming days, especially when the Christmas rush is at its peak today because of city-dwellers’ exodus to the provinces. – With Marvin Sy