In order to lessen traffic congestion especially during rush hours in Metropolitan areas, the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (normally known as Number coding) was first implemented in 1995, restricting private vehicles as well as PUVs from driving outside based on the last digit of their number plate.
During years, there were some modifications to the MMDA number coding rules. And the latest updated terms are followed as: No vehicles with plate number ending 1 and 2, 3/4 for Tuesday, 5/6 for Wednesday, 7/8 for Thursday and 9/0 for Friday.
Number Coding Scheme in Metro Manila
However, on special occasions such as Christmas or New Year when people are busier with their preparations for the holiday, MMDA usually approved for a number coding suspension scheme, valid only in a short time.
Window Hours
There are some people who may totally hate this coding day, but there is some hope in the middle of chaos. There are some areas where they have ‘window’ hours where you can travel using your car. Window hours are from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM daily in specific areas ONLY.
Image courtesy of CNN Philippines
Areas with Special Number Coding Scheme
There are also areas where aside from the MMDA number coding scheme, also has their extra localized number coding to further control the traffic.
Pasig City, which is located in the middle of major cities, have been pretty congested as vehicles go through its roads as a shortcut to reach other major cities. This is the main reason why they created the Special Odd-Even Scheme in some of their major roads to lessen the congestion. Please refer to the image below for the special Pasig number coding scheme:
Special Odd-Even Scheme in some areas in Pasig City
Vehicles ending in odd number 1, 3, 5, 7 & 9 cannot pass through these roads every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday; while vehicles ending in even number 2, 4, 6, 8 & 0 are prohibited every Monday, Wednesday & Friday.
Following the normal MMDA scheme, but Makati number coding is without window hours, the same as other cities including Las Piñas and Mandaluyong.
Since October 1, 2016, the local municipality decided to start its own number coding in Paranaque, which resembled the same rules as car coding in Manila. Private vehicles are banned from using several major roads (detailed in the picture below) during the hours from 7:00 to 9:00 in the morning and 16:00 to 19:00 in the evening.
Number coding scheme in Paranaque
Areas without number coding
According to an FAQ on Number Coding and 'NO WINDOW HOURS' published by the Department of Transportation, there are areas where number coding is not implemented:
- Marikina
- Muntinlupa
- Taguig, except for in C5, East Service Road and Manuel L. Quezon
- Number coding in Pasay complies with the expanded MMDA number coding, exempted for these following areas: MIA Road, Airport Road, Sales Road, Ninoy Aquino Avenue, Domestic Road and some parts of Buendia
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