The Philippines, particularly Metro Manila, is known for its heavy traffic. To manage road congestion, authorities implement a traffic management strategy called the Number Coding Scheme. If you’re driving in the Philippines, understanding this scheme is crucial to avoid penalties and ensure smooth travels. This guide will provide you with a comprehensive overview of car coding areas in the Philippines for 2024.
Understanding the Number Coding Scheme
The Number Coding Scheme, officially known as the Unified Vehicle Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP), is managed by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA). This initiative aims to reduce traffic volume during weekdays by restricting vehicle movement based on the last digit of their license plates. Applicable to both private and public utility vehicles, the scheme operates from Monday to Friday, excluding weekends and holidays.
Introduced initially in 1995 as an experiment focused on public utility vehicles (PUVs), the Number Coding Scheme was later expanded to include all vehicles, especially those using Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA), a major thoroughfare in Metro Manila. The scheme was temporarily suspended during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic from March 13, 2020, to November 30, 2021.
Is Number Coding Currently in Effect?
Yes, the Number Coding scheme is active. The MMDA expanded its implementation starting August 15, 2022, reintroducing morning and evening coding hours. Currently, the scheme is enforced during these hours:
- Morning Coding Hours: 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM
- Evening Coding Hours: 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
These times are applicable from Monday to Friday, excluding holidays and weekends. During the “window hours,” which are outside these peak times, coded vehicles are allowed to travel. Specifically, vehicles are permitted on the roads between 10:01 AM and 4:59 PM, and from 8:01 PM to 6:59 AM the next day. This is the operational scheme as of June 2024.
Decoding Your Car’s Coding Day
Determining your car’s coding day is straightforward. It depends on the last digit of your vehicle’s license plate:
- Monday: Plates ending in 1 and 2
- Tuesday: Plates ending in 3 and 4
- Wednesday: Plates ending in 5 and 6
- Thursday: Plates ending in 7 and 8
- Friday: Plates ending in 9 and 0
Remember this simple rule to know which day your vehicle is restricted from certain Metro Manila roads.
Number Coding Hours: Morning and Afternoon Restrictions
The expanded number coding scheme in Metro Manila (National Capital Region or NCR) is enforced during rush hours to minimize traffic congestion. These hours are:
- Morning Rush Hour: 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM
- Afternoon/Evening Peak Hours: 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
However, it’s important to note that some cities, like Makati City, implement a full-day coding scheme from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM without window hours. Before traveling in Metro Manila, particularly if your car is subject to coding on that day, always verify if your route includes areas with window hours or full-day restrictions.
Understanding “Window Hours” in Car Coding
“Window hours” refer to the periods within the day when coded vehicles are allowed to drive on roads covered by the Number Coding Scheme. In areas that implement window hours, motorists can drive their coded vehicles between 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM.
It’s crucial to understand that while window hours provide some flexibility, they do not apply to Radial Roads, Circumferential Roads, and National Roads. Always double-check the specific window hour policies for your intended locations to avoid violations.
Roads Covered by the Number Coding Scheme in Metro Manila
The MMDA enforces the Number Coding Scheme on all major roads under its jurisdiction. These primary thoroughfares include:
- EDSA
- C5
- Recto Avenue
- Quirino Avenue
- Araneta Avenue
- C6
- Roxas Boulevard
- Taft Avenue
- Shaw Boulevard
- Ortigas Avenue
- Magsaysay Boulevard
- Aurora Boulevard
- Quezon Avenue
- Bonifacio Avenue
- Rizal Avenue
- Del Pan
- Marcos Highway
If your route includes any of these roads during coding hours on your vehicle’s coding day, you will be in violation of the scheme.
Areas Exempt from Number Coding in Metro Manila
Certain areas and roads within Metro Manila are exempt from the Number Coding Scheme. Primarily, these are tollways operated by private entities and some specific municipal roads. Exempt areas include:
- NAIA Expressway
- Skyway System
- South Luzon Expressway (SLEX)
- Domestic Road
- Ninoy Aquino Avenue
- MIA Road
- Sales Road
- Parts of Airport Road
- Some parts of Buendia (Gil Puyat Avenue)
- Tollway extensions like NLEX Harbor Link
Planning your route to utilize these exempt roads can help if you need to drive on your coding day.
Vehicle Exemptions from the Number Coding Scheme
Certain types of vehicles are also exempted from the Number Coding Scheme. These exemptions aim to ensure public services and essential transportation are not disrupted. Vehicles exempted include:
- Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs), including tricycles
- Transport Network Vehicle Services (TNVS)
- Motorcycles
- Garbage trucks, fuel trucks, and fire trucks
- Marked government vehicles and marked media vehicles
- Vehicles carrying essential or perishable goods
- Doctors with valid and updated PRC Licenses
- Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Hybrid Vehicles with proper LTO Certification and special EV/Hybrid vehicle plates.
Note: Makati City has a more limited list of exemptions, including only vehicles carrying senior citizen BluCard holders, emergency vehicles, vehicles on official functions, and electric vehicles.
Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Exemption Explained
Electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid vehicles are exempt from the UVVRP due to Republic Act No. 11697, the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA). This law promotes the use of EVs and hybrid vehicles to reduce emissions. To qualify for exemption, the vehicle’s registration must clearly state that it is a hybrid or electric vehicle.
Why Some Hybrids Aren’t Coding Exempt
Not all vehicles marketed as “hybrid” are exempt from the Number Coding Scheme. Mild-hybrid vehicles, which use a small battery and electric motor to assist the internal combustion engine but cannot run on electricity alone, are not typically exempted.
Exemption is generally granted only to hybrid vehicles recognized by the Department of Energy (DOE). It is advisable to check the DOE’s list of recognized EVs and Hybrids before purchasing a vehicle expecting it to be coding exempt.
Penalties for Violating the Number Coding Scheme
Violating the Number Coding Scheme will result in a fine. The standard penalty ranges from P300 to P500, depending on the locality where the violation occurs. This fine must be paid within seven days to avoid additional penalties during driver’s license renewal.
Payment Channels for Number Coding Violation Fines
Fines for number coding violations can be paid through various MMDA-approved channels, offering convenient options for motorists. These include:
- Landbank
- SM Bills Payment Centers
- Bayad Center
Additionally, Bayad Center partners like GCash, PayMaya, and GrabPay also facilitate fine payments. In 2023, the MMDA also introduced handheld ticketing devices that allow for on-the-spot fine payments.
City-Specific Number Coding Rules
While Metro Manila generally follows the MMDA’s scheme, some cities have specific rules or interpretations. Here’s a breakdown by city:
- Alabang, Muntinlupa City: Generally no coding, except Ayala-Alabang National Road and Alabang-Zapote Road corner Buencamino and North Gate (following MMDA scheme). Violations here have different fines: P500 (1st offense), P750 (2nd offense), P1,000 (3rd and succeeding offenses). Note: Verify current rules as pre-pandemic rules may have changed.
- Makati City: Strict enforcement from 7 AM to 7 PM, no window hours. Fine is P300. Exemptions are very limited: senior citizen BluCard holders, emergency vehicles, official function vehicles, and EVs.
- Quezon City: Follows MMDA coding: 7 AM to 10 AM and 5 PM to 8 PM with window hours (10:01 AM to 4:59 PM).
- Pasig City: Follows MMDA coding: 7 AM to 10 AM and 5 PM to 8 PM with window hours (10:01 AM to 4:59 PM).
- Pasay City: Coding from 7 AM to 10 AM and 5 PM to 8 PM, window period 10 AM to 4 PM. Exemptions on Domestic Road, Ninoy Aquino Avenue, MIA Road, Sales Road, parts of Airport Road, and parts of Buendia (Gil Puyat).
- Parañaque City: Follows MMDA coding: 7 AM to 10 AM and 5 PM to 8 PM with window period 10 AM to 4 PM.
- Mandaluyong City: Follows MMDA coding since August 2022: 7 AM to 10 AM and 5 PM to 8 PM with window period 10 AM to 4 PM.
- Manila City: Varied implementation. Some areas without window hours, others follow 7 AM to 10 AM and 5 PM to 8 PM with window period 10 AM to 4 PM. Check specific locations.
- Valenzuela City: Follows MMDA coding since August 2022: 7 AM to 10 AM and 5 PM to 8 PM with window period 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM. Specific roads listed: MacArthur Highway, Maysan – Paso De Blas – Bagbaguin Road, Karuhatan – Gen. T. De Leon Road, Gov. I. Santiago Road, Mindanao Avenue, East and West NLEX Service Road, T. Santiago Road, Sapang Bakaw – Punturin – Bignay Road.
- Taguig City: Partially exempt. Coding on national roads: East Service Road and Manuel L. Quezon Avenue.
- San Juan City: Coding from 7 AM to 7 PM, with window hours 10 AM to 3 PM. Verify if updated to MMDA scheme.
- Caloocan City: Coding 7 AM to 10 AM and 5 PM to 8 PM. Window hours 10 AM to 4 PM, except Samson Road which has no window hours. Verify current rules.
Number Coding Outside Metro Manila
The Number Coding Scheme extends beyond Metro Manila to other congested cities like Baguio, Cabanatuan, and Dagupan, all adhering to the same license plate restriction days.
- Baguio City: Coding in selected areas, mainly tourist spots like Session Road, Burnham Park, and Baguio City Market, from 7 AM to 7 PM on weekdays in the Central Business District. Fine P500.
- Cavite Province: Previously had UVRS coding from 6 AM to 7 PM on major roads. Suspended under Provincial Ordinance 283-2020 until further notice.
Potential Future Updates to the Coding Scheme
The MMDA continuously evaluates and updates the Number Coding Scheme. In 2022, they studied more stringent options to further reduce traffic, including:
- Odd-Even Scheme: Odd-numbered plates banned Mondays and Thursdays, even-numbered plates banned Tuesdays and Fridays. Wednesdays no coding.
- More Complex Scheme: Rotating two-day ban based on plate endings (e.g., 1,2,3,4 banned Mondays, 5,6,7,8 banned Tuesdays, etc.).
As of now, these proposals have not been implemented due to public criticism. However, future changes are possible, so staying updated on MMDA announcements is advisable for motorists in the Philippines.
By understanding and adhering to the Number Coding Scheme, you contribute to better traffic flow and avoid unnecessary fines while driving in the Philippines. Always check for the latest updates and city-specific rules before you travel.
