Navigating the bustling streets of Metro Manila can be challenging, and understanding the car coding scheme is crucial for every driver. Officially known as the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP), this system regulates traffic flow based on your vehicle’s license plate number. Let’s break down everything you need to know about car coding in Manila for 2023.
What is the Manila Number Coding Scheme?
The Number Coding Scheme, implemented by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), is designed to reduce traffic congestion in the Philippines’ capital region. It restricts vehicles from using major roads on weekdays based on the last digit of their license plates. Initially introduced in 1995 for public utility vehicles and EDSA, the scheme has been updated over the years to its current form. Weekends and holidays are exempt from number coding.
Is Car Coding Currently in Effect in Manila?
Yes, as of August 15, 2022, the MMDA reinstated the number coding scheme with both morning and evening peak hour restrictions. The current car coding hours are from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM and again from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, applicable from Monday to Friday, excluding weekends and holidays.
During these restricted hours, coded vehicles are not allowed on covered roads. However, “window hours” exist between 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM and from 8:01 PM to 6:59 AM the following day, allowing all vehicles to travel freely during these times in areas with window hours.
Why Implement Car Number Coding?
The primary goal of the UVVRP or Number Coding Scheme is to alleviate traffic congestion in Metro Manila. By limiting the number of vehicles on the road during peak hours based on license plate numbers, the MMDA aims to improve traffic flow and reduce commute times. This program is based on legal frameworks like Section 1 of Memorandum Regulation No. 96-005. The specific hours and implementation details have been adjusted over time to optimize its effectiveness.
Manila Number Coding Days: Know Your Schedule
To avoid traffic violations, it’s essential to know your vehicle’s coding day. The schedule is straightforward and based on the last digit of your license plate:
- Mondays: Plates ending in 1 and 2 are coded.
- Tuesdays: Plates ending in 3 and 4 are coded.
- Wednesdays: Plates ending in 5 and 6 are coded.
- Thursdays: Plates ending in 7 and 8 are coded.
- Fridays: Plates ending in 9 and 0 are coded.
Number Coding Hours in Metro Manila
While the original scheme sometimes ran from 7 AM to 8 PM, the currently enforced hours in Metro Manila, as of August 2022, are segmented. Car coding is active during peak hours:
- Morning Peak: 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM
- Evening Peak: 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
However, it’s important to note that some areas, like Makati City, maintain different coding hours.
Understanding “Window Hours” in Manila
“Window hours” offer a reprieve for drivers with coded vehicles. During these periods, restrictions are lifted in participating cities, allowing coded vehicles to travel without penalty. However, window hours do not apply to Radial Roads, Circumferential Roads, and National Roads. Drivers can use secondary routes to bypass restricted roads during coding hours, but should verify the specific window hour policies of the areas they are passing through.
Currently, for most of Metro Manila (excluding cities with special restrictions), window hours are from:
- Mid-day Window: 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM
Cities in Metro Manila Without Window Hours
Makati City stands out as the only city in Metro Manila that does not observe window hours. In Makati, the number coding scheme is continuously enforced from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. All other cities within Metro Manila generally follow the standard MMDA coding scheme with window hours from 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM.
Exemptions from Manila Car Coding
Certain vehicles are exempted from the number coding scheme, facilitating essential services and specific transportation needs. These exemptions generally apply across Metro Manila, but it’s crucial to confirm local city ordinances, especially in Makati.
Common vehicle coding exemptions include:
- Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs) including buses and jeepneys
- Tricycles
- Transport Network Vehicle Services (TNVS)
- Motorcycles
- Garbage trucks
- Fuel trucks
- Fire trucks
- Marked government vehicles
- Marked media vehicles
- Vehicles carrying essential or perishable goods
- Doctors with valid PRC licenses
- Electric vehicles (EVs) and Hybrid vehicles with LTO certification
Important Note: Makati City has a more limited list of exemptions.
Penalties for Number Coding Violations
Violating the number coding scheme in Metro Manila will result in a standard fine of P300. Prompt payment within seven days is advised to avoid additional penalties when renewing your driver’s license.
Specific City Rules within Metro Manila
While Metro Manila generally adheres to the MMDA guidelines, some cities have specific regulations:
- Alabang, Muntinlupa City: Mostly follows general rules, but coding applies on Ayala-Alabang National Road and Alabang-Zapote Road corner Buencamino and North Gate. Fine is P500 for the first offense, increasing for subsequent offenses.
- Makati City: No window hours; coding from 7 AM to 7 PM. Exemptions for vehicles with senior citizen Blu Card holders and emergency/official vehicles.
- Quezon City, Pasig City, Pasay City, Parañaque City, Mandaluyong City, Valenzuela City: Follow MMDA’s 7 AM-10 AM and 5 PM-8 PM coding with 10:01 AM – 4:59 PM window hours on major roads. Pasay City exemptions on certain thoroughfares like Domestic Road and Ninoy Aquino Avenue.
- Manila City: Mixed rules; some areas with no window hours, others with standard MMDA schedule.
- 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 from 10 AM to 3 PM (check for updates).
- Caloocan City: Standard 7 AM-10 AM and 5 PM-8 PM coding, but Samson Road has no window hours.
Number Coding Beyond Metro Manila
The UVVRP extends beyond Metro Manila to manage traffic in other congested areas:
- Baguio City: Coding in tourist areas like Session Road and Burnham Park, 7 AM to 7 PM. Fine is P500.
- Cavite City: Coding on major roads, weekdays 6 AM to 7 PM, window hours 9 AM to 3 PM. Fine is P300.
- Cabanatuan & Dagupan: Implement similar daily license plate restrictions.
Future of Car Coding in Manila
Traffic management is constantly evolving. While Pasig City briefly experimented with an odd-even scheme, Metro Manila generally adheres to the number coding system. Proposals for standardized no-window-hour coding across all major roads have been discussed. As traffic patterns change, further adjustments to the number coding scheme in Manila are likely in the future. The MMDA’s decision in August 2022 to revert to peak hour coding reflects the ongoing adaptation to post-pandemic traffic conditions.
Metro Manila Number Coding During the Pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Metro Manila suspended number coding. However, it was reinstated on August 15, 2022, as traffic volume returned to pre-pandemic levels. Makati City had a modified scheme during the pandemic, exempting vehicles with two or more occupants, along with other standard exemptions.
Stay informed about the latest car coding updates in Manila to ensure smooth and compliant driving in 2023. Understanding these regulations is essential for navigating Metro Manila’s roads effectively.
