The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has announced that there will be no number coding scheme implemented from April 6 to 10, during the Holy Week. This is done to accommodate the expected increase in vehicles on the roads during this time, as many people will be visiting their families in the provinces or going on vacations. The number coding scheme is a traffic management scheme that prohibits the use of private vehicles on certain days, depending on the last digit of their license plates. With this suspension, private vehicles will be allowed to use the roads regardless of the last digit of their license plates. However, the MMDA will still enforce the “yellow lane” policy, which requires that public utility vehicles (PUVs) keep to the designated lanes on major roads to minimize congestion.
To assist in managing the expected influx of vehicles during Holy Week, the MMDA has also announced that it will establish a multi-agency command center. The center will be composed of representatives from the MMDA, the Department of Transportation, the Land Transportation Office, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, and other agencies that handle traffic management or road safety. The command center will be responsible for coordinating the efforts of these agencies to ensure the smooth flow of traffic during the Holy Week rush.
In addition, the MMDA has lifted the vehicle restriction on the Pasig River Ferry Service and the High-Occupancy Vehicle lanes during this period. This means that the ferry service and the HOV lanes can be used by commuters and private vehicles, respectively, to avoid the expected heavy traffic on the roads. The Pasig River Ferry Service currently operates on the Pasig River and has stations in Manila, Mandaluyong, Pasig, and Marikina. The HOV lanes, on the other hand, are designated for vehicles with at least two occupants, which can help reduce the number of cars on the roads.
To further enhance its capabilities, the MMDA has also deployed 155 additional traffic enforcers to aid in traffic management. These enforcers will be stationed in major intersections and chokepoints in Metro Manila, where traffic is expected to be heavy. They will assist in regulating traffic flow, identifying and removing obstructions on the roads, and responding to emergencies. The MMDA has also reminded the public to follow traffic rules and regulations, especially those on speeding and overtaking, which can cause accidents.
Overall, these measures aim to ensure that the high volume of vehicles during Holy Week will not cause major traffic problems in Metro Manila. The MMDA hopes that by lifting the number coding scheme and other restrictions on the use of certain lanes, and by establishing a multi-agency command center and deploying additional traffic enforcers, traffic congestion will be minimized and motorists can have a smoother and safer travel experience.
