MMDA: Number coding won't be lifted for April 15 transport strike

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Sunday said it will not lift the expanded number coding scheme on Monday, April 15, the day two transport groups said they will hold a nationwide strike.

"Hindi sususpindehin ang number coding scheme bukas, araw ng Lunes, sa gitna ng tigil pasada na ikakasa ng dalawang transport group na Manibela at Piston," MMDA said in an advisory posted on X.

(The number coding scheme will not be suspended tomorrow, Monday, in the midst of the transport strike to be conducted by two transport groups, the Manibela and Piston.)

"Ibig sabihin, tuloy ang pagpapatupad ng number coding scheme mula 7am-10am at 5pm-8pm at bawal bumiyahe sa nasabing mga oras ang mga may plakang nagtatapos sa 1 at 2 na sakop ng coding tuwing Lunes," it added.

(That means the number coding scheme will be implemented from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Vehicles with plate numbers ending in 1 and 2 will not be allowed to use the roads.)

The Samahang Manibela Mananakay at Nagkaisang Terminal ng Transportasyon or MANIBELA and Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON) on Thursday announced that they would hold a nationwide transport strike on April 15 and 16 amid the looming deadline for consolidation of public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators. 

At a press briefing, MANIBELA president Mar Valbuena said they expect some 30,000 jeepney drivers to join the protest in the the National Capital Region and at least 100,000 others to join nationwide. 

The groups are opposing the PUV consolidation of individual franchises into cooperatives or corporations, which is called for under the government's PUV modernization program. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said there would be no extension of the April 30 deadline for consolidation.

The Magnificent 7, a group of seven transport groups, however said they will not join the two-day strike.

"Nakahanda naman ang MMDA, kasama ang iba pang ahensiya ng gobyerno at mga lokal na pamahalaan sa NCR, para magbigay ng libreng sakay sa mga maapektuhang pasahero sakaling kailanganin," the MMDA said.

(The MMDA is ready, together with other government agencies and local government units in the National Capital Region, to give free rides to commuters who will be affected by the strike.) —KG, GMA Integrated News