MMDA may scrap number coding scheme’s window hours

MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority has yet to decide on removing the window period in the current number coding scheme, acting MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said on Thursday.

The agency is still studying data from its traffic engineering center on car volume along major roads like EDSA.

He admitted that the MMDA has observed vehicle congestion, especially during the afternoon rush hour, due to the upcoming Christmas season.

The lifting of the window hours – from 10:01 a.m. to 4:59 p.m. – could cause a “spillover” of vehicles during the 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. number coding period, Artes said.

The policy is also enforced along major roads under the MMDA’s watch from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.

The MMDA may announce its decision by Nov. 20.

 The Metro Manila Council approved in early October a resolution that eventually became MMDA Regulation 23-003 and ordered that the number coding scheme be enforced from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The regulation is on hold.

The current average of 430,000 vehicles using EDSA each day could increase by 15 percent as the expected Christmas travels in Metro Manila would also rise, according to previous MMDA statements.