Navigating the bustling streets of Metro Manila can be challenging, and one crucial aspect for drivers to understand is the Number Coding Scheme. Officially known as the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP), this initiative by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) aims to alleviate traffic congestion by restricting vehicle movement based on license plate numbers. If you’re driving in Manila in 2023, understanding car coding is essential to avoid penalties and ensure smooth travels.
Understanding the Number Coding Scheme
The Number Coding Scheme is a traffic management strategy implemented on weekdays, from Monday to Friday, excluding holidays and weekends. It applies to both private and public utility vehicles, limiting their use on roads based on the last digit of their license plates.
Introduced initially in 1995 as a trial targeting public utility vehicles, the program expanded to include all vehicles traversing EDSA, Metro Manila’s main thoroughfare. Since then, the scheme has undergone several revisions to adapt to the evolving traffic situation in the metropolis, leading to the current regulations in effect for 2023.
Is Number Coding Currently in Effect?
Yes, as of 2023, the Number Coding scheme is actively enforced in Metro Manila. The MMDA has announced the operating hours, which include both morning and evening peak hours. The current schedule is from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM on weekdays (Monday to Friday).
Vehicles restricted by the number coding are allowed to drive during “window hours,” which are between 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM and from 8:01 PM to 6:59 AM the next day. It’s important to note that these are the general hours, and specific cities within Metro Manila might have variations, as detailed further below.
The Purpose Behind Number Coding
The primary objective of the UVVRP, or Number Coding Scheme, is to reduce traffic congestion in Metro Manila and other Philippine cities. By limiting the number of vehicles on the road during peak hours based on their license plate endings, the scheme aims to improve traffic flow and reduce travel times for commuters. This initiative is rooted in Section 1 of Memorandum Regulation No. 96-005 and has been a cornerstone of Manila’s traffic management efforts.
Decoding the Number Coding Days
To comply with the car coding scheme, drivers must know their vehicle’s plate number and, more importantly, the last digit. Here’s a simple breakdown of the number coding days:
- Mondays: Vehicles with license plates ending in 1 and 2 are prohibited.
- Tuesdays: Vehicles with license plates ending in 3 and 4 are prohibited.
- Wednesdays: Vehicles with license plates ending in 5 and 6 are prohibited.
- Thursdays: Vehicles with license plates ending in 7 and 8 are prohibited.
- Fridays: Vehicles with license plates ending in 9 and 0 are prohibited.
Number Coding Hours: When are Restrictions Active?
The standard Number Coding hours in Metro Manila, as updated by the MMDA in August 2022, are from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. However, it’s crucial to be aware that some cities, like Makati City, maintain different coding hours. Always check for city-specific rules to avoid violations.
Window Hours Explained
“Window hours” provide a period during which vehicles restricted by the number coding can still be driven within participating cities. For most of Metro Manila, these window hours are from 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM.
However, it’s essential to understand that window hours do not apply on Radial Roads, Circumferential Roads, and National Roads. While these major arteries are continuously coded, drivers can use secondary routes during window hours to navigate through cities. Always verify the specific window hour policies for your location, as they can vary.
Cities in Metro Manila Without Window Hours
Currently, Makati City is the only city in Metro Manila that does not observe window hours for the Number Coding Scheme. In Makati, the coding scheme is active from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, without any breaks. All other cities within Metro Manila generally follow the standard MMDA scheme with window hours from 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM.
Exemptions from Number Coding
Certain vehicles are exempted from the Number Coding Scheme to ensure essential services and specific needs are met. These exemptions generally include:
- Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs), including 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
- Vehicles driven by doctors with valid PRC licenses
- Electric vehicles (EVs) and Hybrid vehicles with LTO certification
It is important to note that these exemptions may not fully apply in Makati City, which has its own set of rules. Always confirm city-specific exemptions.
Penalties for Number Coding Violations
Violating the Number Coding Scheme will result in a standard fine. In most Metro Manila cities, the fine is ₱300. This penalty must be settled within seven days to avoid further complications during driver’s license renewal.
City-Specific Number Coding Rules in Metro Manila
While most cities in Metro Manila follow the general MMDA Number Coding Scheme, there are specific regulations in certain areas that drivers should be aware of:
Alabang, Muntinlupa City
Muntinlupa City generally does not implement number coding, except on the following roads where the MMDA scheme applies:
- Ayala-Alabang National Road
- Alabang-Zapote Road corner Buencamino and North Gate
Violations in these areas incur fines: ₱500 for the first offense, ₱750 for the second, and ₱1,000 for the third and subsequent offenses.
Makati City
Makati City has the strictest number coding rules in Metro Manila. There are no window hours, and the scheme operates from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. The standard fine is ₱300. However, Makati City provides exemptions for:
- Vehicles carrying senior citizen Blu Card holders (drivers or passengers)
- Vehicles on official functions
- Medical emergency vehicles
Quezon City, Pasig City, Pasay City, Parañaque City, Mandaluyong City, Valenzuela City
These cities generally adhere to the MMDA’s coding scheme of 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with window hours from 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM.
- Pasay City: While following the general scheme, coding does not apply to major thoroughfares like Domestic Road, Ninoy Aquino Avenue, MIA Road, Sales Road, parts of Airport Road, and parts of Buendia (Gil Puyat).
- Valenzuela City: The scheme is implemented on specific roads including MacArthur Highway, Maysan – Paso De Blas – Bagbaguin Road, and others listed in the original article.
Manila City
Manila City has a mixed approach. Some areas implement number coding without window hours, while others follow the 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM schedule with window hours. Drivers should be particularly attentive to signs and local regulations within Manila.
Taguig City
Taguig City is partially exempted. Coding applies only to national roads within its boundaries, specifically East Service Road and Manuel L. Quezon Avenue.
San Juan City
San Juan City currently practices number coding from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with window hours from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. It’s advisable to check for updates from San Juan regarding adoption of the 7 AM-10 AM/5 PM-8 PM scheme.
Caloocan City
Caloocan City generally follows the 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM coding period. However, Samson Road is exempted from window hours, meaning coding is continuous throughout the restricted period on this road.
Number Coding Outside Metro Manila
The UVVRP extends beyond Metro Manila to regulate traffic in other cities, including:
- Baguio City: Number coding is implemented in tourist areas like Session Road and Burnham Park, from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
- Cavite City: Number coding operates on major roads from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM on weekdays, with window hours typically from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Major roads include Aguinaldo Highway and Governor’s Drive. Fines are ₱300.
Other cities like Cabanatuan and Dagupan also implement number coding, generally following the same daily license plate restrictions.
Future Changes to Number Coding
Traffic management is a constantly evolving field, and changes to the Number Coding Scheme are likely in the future. Pasig City, for example, discontinued its odd-even scheme in favor of the standard number coding. There have been discussions about standardizing coding hours across Metro Manila to 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM without window hours, although this is not currently implemented everywhere.
As of August 2022, the MMDA reverted to the 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM schedule after the pandemic traffic situation normalized. Drivers should stay updated on announcements from the MMDA and local city governments regarding any future changes to the car coding scheme in Manila and surrounding areas.
Metro Manila Number Coding During the Pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the MMDA temporarily suspended the Number Coding Scheme in Metro Manila. However, it was reinstated on August 15, 2022, with the current operating hours.
Makati City maintained a modified scheme during the pandemic, exempting vehicles with two or more occupants. They also have specific vehicle exemptions, including motorcycles, ambulances, fire trucks, police vehicles, diplomatic vehicles, government vehicles, media vehicles, tow trucks, medical emergency vehicles, and vehicles with Senior Citizen Blu Card holders.
Understanding the Number Coding Scheme is vital for all drivers in Manila in 2023. By being informed about the rules, hours, exemptions, and city-specific regulations, you can navigate Manila’s roads efficiently and avoid unnecessary fines. Always verify the latest updates from official sources to ensure compliance and a smoother driving experience.
