DEVELOPING STORY: MMDA to implement modified coding scheme in GCQ

DEVELOPING STORY: MMDA to implement modified coding scheme in GCQ

MANILA: (Last updated 28 May 2020, 7:40 p.m.) With the anticipation of the loosening of "lockdown" measures in the National Capital Region (NCR) next month after all 17 mayors in Metro Manila yesterday unanimously agreed to recommend general community quarantine (GCQ) to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID), the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has now begun crafting guidelines for a modified Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) or the number-coding scheme.

To allow enhanced mobility under GCQ while still keeping the volume of private vehicles down to ease traffic, one stipulation of the modified UVVRP is that vehicle that are banned based on the last digit of their plate numbers can still go out provided there are two or more occupants in the vehicle.

“We have modified coding and we should have two passengers onboard a vehicle. Of course, if there is an emergency, our enforcers are not ‘literal,’ but let us not abuse them,” said MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia.

Frontline workers will be exempted from the modified number-coding scheme to make their commute easier.

“The MMDA understands the plight of the medical front-liners so we want to assist them during this challenging time,” Garcia said.

It still stands that vehicles carrying more than one passenger will be exempt from the modified number-coding scheme.

We want the motorists to maximize the use of private vehicles on the road,” Garcia said

Regarding public transportation, rail (PNR, LRT, MRT), taxis, TNVS, tricycle, and public shuttles will be permitted to operate as per the "National Action Plan COVID-19" released by the Office of the Press Secretary on 14 May 2020.

Public utility buses (PUBs), according to DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government) Secretary Eduardio Año, will be allowed to operated, but at 50% capacity.

"Under GCQ, ang buses papayagan na rin 'yan pero 50-percent capacity at mayroon dapat provisions diyan ng minimum health standards. Yung mga upuan niyan ay hindi talaga dapat uupuan lahat, may alternately... nasa kanan 'yung una, 'yung susunod nasa kaliwa [Under GCQ, buses will be allowed to operate at 50-percent capacity and there should be provisions on minimum health standards. Not all seats will be utilized, there will be alternate seating - the first passenger is on the right, the next is on the left> and so on and so forth," said Año.

Commuters and motorists alike will have to adjust to the position of PUBs in Metro Manila as the MMDA plans to put the bus lanes of opposite side of EDSA, the two left-most lanes. Loading and unloading stations will be the stations of the MRT-3.

"Yung mga bus po natin, ilalagay sa left side at dalawang lanes sila. Lalagyan natin ng barrier 'yan para at least mawala na sa bangketa ang tao at yung ating loading and unloading lanes ay dedicated na talaga para hindi na sa kalsada nagsasakay at nagbababa (For our buses, we will put them on the left side, both lanes. We will put a barrier there so that at least, the commuters will not be on the sidewalk and our loading and unloading lanes are dedicated so that they won't get on and get off on the street)," said Garcia in a radio interview.

According to the MMDA, buses will be positioned in the median lane because their doors are on the right. Loading and unloading will happen in the middle of EDSA where footbridges will be constructed so that commuters may then cross from the center of EDSA to the MRT-3 station or to the side of the road (if there is no MRT-3 station nearby.

Metro Manila mayors and Secretary Año continue to have major concerns regarding the operation of  public utility jeepneys (PUJs). 

"Ang problema kasi sa traditional jeepney magkakalapit at magkakaharap, kapag dumaan 'yung pasahero diyan ay talagang almost face to face na rin 'yung kanilang distansya [The problem with the traditional jeepney is that passengers are near and fronting each other so if a passenger passes by they'll face-to-face distance-wise> So one way is to reconfigure the seats and have it approved by DOTr and probably it's time for us to modernize our jeepneys," added Año.

They are eyeing its continued suspension as its service may cause a rise in the number of COVID-19 cases.

Other rules and regulations of this modified coding scheme is expected to be released once GCQ has been implemented in Metro Manila.

 

 

Photo courtesy of the Department of Transportation Facebook page

Also read: MMDA says number coding still suspended as fake infographic spreads

Eric Tipan

Eric Tipan

Eric is a morning person who hates waking up at 5AM. A radio personality since ’93 and a TV sportscaster for almost two decades, he also writes for Manila Bulletin and Esquire Philippines and co-hosts the radio talk show Gear Box on Radyo Pilipinas 738 kHz. It’s crazy but he sometimes wishes he could do more. Follow him on Twitter | Instagram: @eric_tipan

Read Full Bio

Sell your car at the best price

Verified and genuine buyers Verified and genuine buyers
Free listing Free listing
List your car

PIMS 2024

You might also be interested in

  • News
  • Featured Stories
  • Upcoming
  • Geely Coolray 2024
    Geely Coolray 2024
    ₱1.199 - 1.299 Million Expected Price Manila
    Expected Launch TBA Alert Me When Launched
  • Kia Carens 2024
    Kia Carens 2024
    ₱1.57 Million Expected Price Manila
    Expected Launch Nov, 2024 Alert Me When Launched
  • Toyota Vios 2024
    Toyota Vios 2024
    ₱832,000 Expected Price Manila
    Expected Launch TBA Alert Me When Launched
  • Omoda E5 ev
    Omoda E5
    ₱1.9 Million Expected Price Manila
    Expected Launch Nov, 2024 Alert Me When Launched
  • MG ZS 2024
    MG ZS 2024
    ₱1.049 Million Expected Price Manila
    Expected Launch Nov, 2024 Alert Me When Launched

Latest Car Videos on Zigwheels

Zigwheels
  • What's In Your Two Car Dream Garage? | Zigwheels.Ph with Nissan Philippines
    What's In Your Two Car Dream Garage? | Zigwheels.Ph with Nissan Philippines
    05 Nov, 2024 .
  • Top 10 EVs with the Longest Ranges in the Philippines | Z-List S02E01 | Zigwheels.Ph
    Top 10 EVs with the Longest Ranges in the Philippines | Z-List S02E01 | Zigwheels.Ph
    05 Nov, 2024 .
  • 2024 MG ZS First Look + More | Zigwheels.Ph
    2024 MG ZS First Look + More | Zigwheels.Ph
    05 Nov, 2024 .
  • 2024 PIMS Launch Recap | Zigwheels.Ph
    2024 PIMS Launch Recap | Zigwheels.Ph
    05 Nov, 2024 .
  • 2024 Lexus IS300H POV Driving Review | ZIGWHEELS.PH
    2024 Lexus IS300H POV Driving Review | ZIGWHEELS.PH
    05 Nov, 2024 .
  • 2025 Changan Hunter REEV First Look | Zigwheels.Ph with Changan Auto Philippines
    2025 Changan Hunter REEV First Look | Zigwheels.Ph with Changan Auto Philippines
    29 Oct, 2024 .
  • BEYOND ZERO Toyota Corolla Cross H2 Hydrogen Combustion Prototype Exclusive Look | Zigwheels.Ph
    BEYOND ZERO Toyota Corolla Cross H2 Hydrogen Combustion Prototype Exclusive Look | Zigwheels.Ph
    29 Oct, 2024 .
  • 2024 BYD Seal First Look | Zigwheels.Ph
    2024 BYD Seal First Look | Zigwheels.Ph
    29 Oct, 2024 .
  • 2024 Changan CS35 Plus Luxe | Zigwheels.Ph with Changan Auto Philippines
    2024 Changan CS35 Plus Luxe | Zigwheels.Ph with Changan Auto Philippines
    24 Oct, 2024 .
  • 2025 Chevrolet Captiva First Look | The 100,000 km Family 7-seater MPV! | Zigwheels.Ph
    2025 Chevrolet Captiva First Look | The 100,000 km Family 7-seater MPV! | Zigwheels.Ph
    24 Oct, 2024 .
Watch Car Videos

Car Articles From Carmudi

  • journal
  • advice
  • financing
  • insurance
  • Firms to implement price hikes on diesel, kerosene, cut on gasoline
    Firms to implement price hikes on diesel, kerosene, cut on gasoline
    Ruben Manahan IV, Nov 04, 2024
  • 2024 PIMS draws 42K attendees
    2024 PIMS draws 42K attendees
    Ruben Manahan IV, Nov 04, 2024
  • Hyundai Motor PH, ANC+ Group forge alliance
    Hyundai Motor PH, ANC+ Group forge alliance
    Ruben Manahan IV, Nov 04, 2024
  • Inchcape to update Ram 1500 Rebel in PH
    Inchcape to update Ram 1500 Rebel in PH
    Paulo Papa, Oct 31, 2024
  • Suzuki PH offers helping hand to Typhoon Kristine-hit customers with special discounts
    Suzuki PH offers helping hand to Typhoon Kristine-hit customers with special discounts
    Paulo Papa, Oct 31, 2024
  • Buying a used car in the Philippines? Here’s how to dodge scams
    Buying a used car in the Philippines? Here’s how to dodge scams
    Carmudi PH, Oct 16, 2024
  • All you need to know about seatbelts: Rules, penalties, & more
    All you need to know about seatbelts: Rules, penalties, & more
    Carmudi PH, Oct 14, 2024
  • Need help accessing your LTMS account? Here’s how you can recover it
    Need help accessing your LTMS account? Here’s how you can recover it
    Carmudi PH, Oct 09, 2024
  • Surviving the monsoon: 7 Best practices for driving in low visibility
    Surviving the monsoon: 7 Best practices for driving in low visibility
    Carmudi PH, Oct 07, 2024
  • Changing the clutch type: Here's how you can modify your driver's license
    Changing the clutch type: Here's how you can modify your driver's license
    Carmudi PH, Oct 04, 2024
  • Top 15 banks for affordable car loans in the Philippines
    Top 15 banks for affordable car loans in the Philippines
    Carmudi PH, Oct 10, 2024
  • Car loans made simple for OFWs: Everything you need to know
    Car loans made simple for OFWs: Everything you need to know
    Carmudi PH, Oct 03, 2024
  • Car Loan Restructure: Everything a Filipino needs to know before applying
    Car Loan Restructure: Everything a Filipino needs to know before applying
    Carmudi PH, Oct 02, 2024
  • Pitfalls to avoid when refinancing auto loan in the Philippines
    Pitfalls to avoid when refinancing auto loan in the Philippines
    Carmudi PH, Sep 24, 2024
  • Car loan scams in the Philippines: Applicants be aware
    Car loan scams in the Philippines: Applicants be aware
    Carmudi PH, Sep 19, 2024
  • No car insurance? Here’s what all wrong can happen in the Philippines
    No car insurance? Here’s what all wrong can happen in the Philippines
    Carmudi PH, Oct 29, 2024
  • All you need to know about taking photos after a car accident in the Philippines
    All you need to know about taking photos after a car accident in the Philippines
    Carmudi PH, Oct 29, 2024
  • Here’s how to easily obtain car insurance quotes online
    Here’s how to easily obtain car insurance quotes online
    Carmudi PH, Oct 23, 2024
  • Modified car insurance in the Philippines: All you need to know
    Modified car insurance in the Philippines: All you need to know
    Carmudi PH, Oct 21, 2024
  • 8 Must-ask questions before buying car insurance
    8 Must-ask questions before buying car insurance
    Carmudi PH, Oct 18, 2024

Compare

You can add 3 variants maximum*