MMDA: Despite expected traffic woes, number coding in effect Monday

(Updated 9:09 p.m.) Despite the expected traffic woes in parts of Metro Manila Monday due to a religious group's medical mission, the number coding scheme will remain in effect.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority stressed this Sunday afternoon in a post on its Twitter account.

"ADVISORY: Number coding is still in effect tomorrow, October 14, 2013," it said.

In Malacañang, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte also reminded the public that Monday is still a regular working day.

“Yes, certainly," she said on government-run dzRB radio, when asked if Oct. 14 is a working day even if it falls between Sunday and Eidl Adha, a holiday, on Tuesday.

On Monday, the Iglesia ni Cristo will hold a medical mission in parts of Metro Manila.

The MMDA listed alternate routes to internal roads as many roads in Manila were closed from 1 p.m. Sunday to 7 p.m. Monday.

Under the number coding scheme on Monday, vehicles with plate numbers ending in 1 and 2 are barred from major thoroughfares.

No classes throughout NCR

There will be no classes in the preschool to high school levels throughout Metro Manila on Monday, the Department of Education said in an updated advisory Sunday evening. For the cities of Manila, Malabon and Marikina, classes at the college level are suspended as well.

Traffic nightmare

Meanwhile, motorists and commuters in Manila and Quezon City faced a traffic nightmare Sunday afternoon.

People passing through Quezon Avenue and España Boulevard were stuck for hours due to the Bar exams in Manila and the La Naval procession in Quezon City.

Along a part of España Boulevard, police closed off the Manila-bound part of España Boulevard as this year's Bar examinees took their exam for the second week.

This caused a traffic jam at the Manila-bound part of España, stretching several blocks.

Many commuters had to get down from passenger jeeps and walk to their destination.

In Quezon City, traffic around Santo Domingo Church was tight as devotees and students of Dominican schools took part in the grand procession for Our Lady of La Naval.

The procession started shortly after 4 p.m., radio dzBB's Rodil Vega reported.

Meanwhile, along C.M. Recto Avenue in Manila, traffic was also slow-moving as Iglesia ni Cristo members started setting up for its medical mission on Monday. — BM, GMA News