MMDA to take up ‘weeklong number coding’

AN LTO ENFORCER flags down a pickup without a license plate on Edsa in Cubao, Quezon City, on the first day of the implementation of the agency’s “no plate, no travel” policy. Violators face up to P10,000 in fines on top of the impounding of their vehicles. LEO M. SABANGAN II

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will look into the feasibility of a lawmaker’s proposal to implement a weeklong number coding scheme to further regulate vehicular traffic this holiday season.

MMDA general manager Tim Orbos said that while he was open to any plan that could help ease road congestion, his agency’s traffic engineering center must first study its impact. Under a proposal from House Minority Leader Danilo Suarez, a three-digit coding scheme can be implemented on weekdays, and a two-digit coding scheme on weekends.

The Quezon province representative did not give specifics when he broached the idea in a privilege speech on Monday.

Under the current scheme implemented Monday to Friday, vehicles are banned from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. based on the last digit of their license plate.

Orbos said he would take up Suarez’s proposal tomorrow with the Metro Manila Council, and later with the Interagency Council on Traffic. —JOVIC YEE