MMDA: Number coding lifted 9 am, April 16

MANILA, Philippines – The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has lifted the number coding scheme for all vehicles beginning 9 am on Wednesday, April 16, to encourage motorists to begin their Holy Week travel early.

“We will officially lift number coding by 9 am today for all vehicles, even private vehicles. [The suspension of number coding for] private vehicles was supposed to be tomorrow but because of the road reblocking, we decided to make it earlier to encourage them to enter SLEX and NLEX earlier,” MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino said in an interview with ANC’s Headstart.

The MMDA said in its official Twitter account that the number coding scheme is lifted effective Wednesday in Metro Manila except Makati and Las Piñas, and suspended on Thursday and Friday metro-wide.

Tolentino said since road reblocking for parts of EDSA’s southbound lane would begin that afternoon, southbound motorists can expect heavy traffic.

He said that road reblocking along Edsa will begin at the southbound side at 2 pm Wednesday until Good Friday, and at the northbound side from Good Friday –  or earlier, if the southbound repairs are completed ahead of schedule – until 5 am Monday, April 21.

Tolentino said the northbound road reblocking of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) was supposed to commence at 10 pm on Tuesday, but was delayed to the next day, in consideration of workers coming from the Makati Central Business District.

Tolentino said the “critical” southbound lane areas would be those near Connecticut Street, and before the Magallanes flyover, and  Guadalupe to Estrella Street. 

He encouraged southbound motorists coming from Cubao to head for Magsaysay Boulevard through Aurora Boulevard, then Nagtahan and Osmeña Highway to hit the South Luzon Expressway.

He said those headed for the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) can take Mindanao Avenue or Katipunan Avenue.

The MMDA had earlier announced the complete EDSA reblocking schedule and areas to be affected by the repairs. 

Tolentino admitted that traffic in Pasay City will be exacerbated by the presence of some bus terminals in the areas. He added that water utility companies are conducting repairs along the Edsa-Taft area, and in Guadalupe during the period.

The MMDA chief also said the MMDA agreed with provincial buses operators that it will not be as strict with out of line violations from Wednesday until Monday next week.

“Provincial buses can use side streets coming from their terminals in Cubao, [take] Harvard, left to Aurora to reach Boni Serrano and the point of destination, NLEX. That’s going to be the scenario,” Tolentino said.

He added that buses would not be allowed to take C-5 Road for the period, as this would be devoted to private vehicles. 

Tolentino said the DPWH has committed to keep at least two lanes open during the road reblocking, and that MMDA personnel will man the entry and exit points of the open lanes to ensure smooth traffic flow.

Tolentino said that this would be the last road reblocking on EDSA this year, and was timed this Holy Week so all repairs can be done in one blow, and not on a staggered basis.

“[The DPWH said] rather than do this on a weekly basis, let’s just do it one time. This was studied and this is the only time we have,” the MMDA said.

Tolentino said that according to the DPWH, the last time extensive repairs were made on EDSA was “decades ago.”

“So they have to really repair this especially the base and after this they plan to have asphalt overlay,” he said.

Tolentino said 10 DPWH contractors would be working simultaneously to “really rush the job.” – Rappler.com