MMDA flags 1,549 motorists on first day of expanded number coding scheme

Over 1,500 vehicles were flagged by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on the first day of the dry run for the expanded number coding scheme in the National Capital Region.

According to Oscar Oida’s report on “24 Oras,” 1,549 motorists were stopped by MMDA officers on Monday, August 15 due to the coding scheme, which prohibits vehicles from using the roads at certain hours of the day once a week. The day of the week a vehicle must comply with the coding scheme depends on the last number of its license plate.

It covers major roads in the capital region including EDSA, Commonwealth, Roxas Boulevard, R1 to R10, C1 to C6, Alabang Zapote Road, McArthur Highway, Marcos Highway, and Mabini Street.

Erring vehicles were not issued tickets today, but starting Thursday, August 18, the MMDA said violators will be fined P300.

“’Pag nahuli ka tatlong beses sa isang taon, sina-summon ka namin para mag-seminar. Sa LTO [Land Transportation Office], sinu-suspend nila yan but we're just recommendatory. It's the LTO who will decide,” MMDA Task Force Special Operations chief Bong Nebrija said.

(If you are caught three times in a year, we will summon you for a seminar. The LTO suspends them but we’re just recommendatory. It's the LTO who will decide.)

Nebrija added that the reimplementation of the pre-pandemic number coding scheme is part of their preparations for the resumption of face-to-face classes in the country.

“As per our study, it would decrease 20% ng volume ng daily number of vehicles na mawawala,” MMDA Director III Victor Maria D. Nuñez said.

(As per our study, it would decrease the daily volume on the roads by 20%.)

As of August 4, 2022, MMDA reported that the daily average of vehicles plying EDSA reached 387,000. It is expected to increase by 436,000 during the resumption of in-person classes—slightly higher than the 405,000 daily average recorded pre-pandemic. — Sundy Locus/BM, GMA News