Reimposition of 5-8 p.m. number coding in NCR expected this week

MANILA – The modified unified vehicular volume reduction program (UVVRP) –commonly called number or color coding — will be reimplemented in Metro Manila as vehicular traffic continues to increase.

In a statement, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chair Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos said the Metro Manila Council (MMC) has “unanimously approved” implementing the policy from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Mondays to Fridays excluding holidays.

While the actual date of implementation of the policy has yet to be announced, he said it will happen “any day this week” after the MMC’s resolution is published on the Official Gazette.

The modified number coding, he said, will only cover private vehicles — excluding public utility vehicles (PUV), transportation network vehicle services (TNVS), motorcycles, garbage trucks, fuel trucks, and vehicles carrying essential and perishable goods.

He said TNVS would also be issued with stickers to help identify them from private vehicles.

“We are in coordination with the TNVS on the implementation of rules and regulations regarding this concern,” Abalos said.

A modified ban on light trucks under the UVVRP will also be implemented.

Light trucks with banned motor vehicle plate endings under the UVVRP will be prohibited from Edsa between Magallanes, Makati City, and North Avenue, Quezon City — both northbound and southbound — from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Mondays to Fridays except holidays.

The MMDA defines light trucks as motor vehicles — whether commercial use or not — with a gross capacity weight of 4,500 kilograms or below, having six or more tires, with the payload area either enclosed or open.

Earlier, MMDA officials announced the possible reimplementation of the UVVRP as the average traffic in the National Capital Region (NCR) has increased to about 405,000 vehicles per day — on par with pre-pandemic traffic volume.

The UVVRP was suspended at the onset of the pandemic last year.

The UVVRP is a road space rationing program that aims to reduce traffic congestion during peak hours by restricting vehicles that can use major roads in NCR, based on the final digit of their license plate.