MMDA set to implement ‘no window hours’ for number coding scheme in EDSA and C-5 Road

(Photo: MMDA/Facebook)

MANILA – The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will implement “no window hours” along Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) and C-5 Road as part of efforts to decongest traffic in Metro Manila.

MMDA General Manager Thomas Orbos said that an order will be issued next Monday (Oct. 10) and will be implemented 15 days thereafter.

“We decided to implement zero window hours for number coding in EDSA and C-5 Road as these thoroughfares are among the most congested in Metro Manila,” the MMDA chief said in an interview with reporters on the sidelines of the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) presentation of its accomplishments for the first 100 days of the Duterte administration.

Orbos said that the removal of window hours will lead to the reduction of 20 percent of cars along these roads.

He also said that he has coordinated with local chief executives of cities and municipalities that will be affected by the plan.

“We are appealing to motorists for their patience and understanding. This step will be only temporary until such time that necessary infrastructures are set in place,” Orbos said.

The Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) or Number Coding Scheme starts at 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. with window hours starting from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The MMDA will also be asking mall operators along major thoroughfares to inform the agency of their sales at least a week before and to implement extended mall hours to lessen traffic congestion.

It has ordered the temporary suspension of excavations undertaken by utility firms from November 2016 to January 2017 in anticipation of the surge in traffic on major roads and secondary streets for the upcoming Christmas season.

The Metro Manila Council (MMC) will soon unify number coding systems in Metro Manila as well as synchronize operations of traffic signals.

In its recent meeting, the MMC decided to adopt in principle a resolution to support emergency powers to address the traffic situation and place local traffic enforcers under the operational control of the Inter-Agency Council for Traffic (I-ACT).

The I-ACT, which consists of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Land Transportation Office (LTO), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), MMDA and PNP-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG), is the sole authority in charge of traffic management in the metropolis. It is headed by PNP-HPG acting director Sr. Supt. Antonio Gardiola Jr.

The MMDA is focused on its clearing of illegally parked vehicles along four of the 17 Mabuhay lanes which serve as alternate routes to ease traffic in EDSA and other major roads.

It has also divided Metro Manila into 10 sectors to efficiently manage the traffic situation in the metropolis.

The I-ACT stated that there are 2,300 traffic enforcers from MMDA and HPG, but this is short of the required number of more than 13,700 personnel for traffic management.