Enjoy a coding-free summer — MMDA
By Michael Punongbayan
The Philippine Star 03/30/2006

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will suspend the implementation of its Unified Vehicle Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP), or number coding scheme, for at least two months.

The MMDA said traffic in major roads have eased up after vehicle volume was reduced by as much as 32.23 percent, a common trend during the summer break.

MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando said there is enough reason to lift the UVVRP for a long period of time since traffic in the metropolis is not that bad during this time of year.

According to him, the Metro Manila Council (MMC) will issue a resolution in the next few days to officially suspend the implementation of the number coding scheme.

He said Metro Manila mayors will have to come up with the resolution as members of the policy-making body of the MMDA.

However, as soon as the UVVRP is lifted, local chief executives will still be given the right to request for re-implementation of the scheme for their respective localities if the traffic situation gets out of hand.

The MMDA is even planning the total junking the UVVRP, considering that traffic in Metro Manila has improved because of road rehab work and effective traffic management.

Fernando said the MMDA remains dynamic and responsive to developments. The improved traffic situation as evidenced by faster travel time could mean that there is no longer any need to restrict public and private vehicles from using roads at specific days depending on the last number of their license plates.

The MMDA has been implementing the UVVRP since 1986 in an effort to control vehicle volume, especially along major thoroughfares during the rush hour.