Number coding on 3-day trial run from today

• The expanded Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) or number coding scheme in the National Capital Region starts today (August 15) on a three-day dry run from August 15 to 17

• During the dry run, motorists will only be reminded of the expanded number coding scheme

• On August 18 onwards, MMDA will start issuing traffic violation tickets on ground and through the non-contact apprehension policy

• Makati city is retaining its number coding period, from 7a.m. to 7p.m.

The expanded Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) or number-coding scheme in the National Capital Region (NCR) starts today (August 15) on a three-day dry run from August 15 to 17.

During the dry run, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will only remind motorists of the expanded number coding scheme. On August 18 onwards, MMDA will start apprehending and will issue traffic violation tickets on ground and through the non-contact apprehension policy.

MMDA earlier announced it is bringing back the number-coding scheme in the morning, but with expanded hours: from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., three hours instead of just one before the pandemic. This is on top of the coding hours of 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on weekdays, except holidays, that are already in effect.

Implementation of the UVVRP was suspended during the height of COVID-19 lockdowns and was re-implemented starting November 2021 but only from 5p.m. to 8p.m.

The re-imposition of the NCR number coding scheme was approved by the Metro Manila Council (MMC) through MMDA Resolution No. 22-14, signed and adopted on August 11. The MMC, composed of the 17 local government units of Metro Manila, is the governing and policy-making body of the MMDA.

According to the resolution, average daily traffic is fast approaching pre-pandemic levels with the volume of vehicles in NCR expected to increase upon resumption of face-to-face classes on August 22.

Exempted from the UVVRP are public utility vehicles (including tricycles), transport network vehicle services, motorcycles, garbage trucks, fuel trucks, marked government vehicles, trucks, ambulances, marked media vehicles, vehicles carrying essential and/or perishable goods.

During coding hours, vehicles with license plates ending in 1 and 2 are prohibited on NCR main throughfares on Monday; 3 and 4 on Tuesday; 5 and 6 on Wednesday; 7 and 8 on Thursday; and 9 and 0 on Friday.

Existing number-coding ordinances of respective local government units will prevail on secondary roads.

The city of Makati earlier said it will retain its number coding period, which is from 7a.m. to 7p.m.

MMDA said the re-implementation of the NCR number coding scheme will reduce traffic volume by 20% during the morning and afternoon/evening peak hours.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the average number of vehicles plying EDSA daily was at 405,000.

Based on the latest vehicle volume count conducted by the MMDA Traffic Engineering Center on August 4, approximately 387,000 vehicles use EDSA. The volume is expected to soon balloon to 436,000 or higher than pre-pandemic level.