Number coding for provincial buses lifted on October 30, 31

MANILA -- Anticipating the huge volume of passengers heading back to their provinces for All Saints' Day, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has suspended the number coding scheme for authorized public utility provincial buses in the metropolis on October 30 and 31.

The said traffic control scheme or the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) was lifted as MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino ensured that there would be enough public utility buses to serve the commuters.

The MMDA also considered the ongoing major road and bridge repair works in various locations in the provinces of Quezon and Nueva Vizcaya, which are prolonging travel time of buses entering and exiting Metro Manila.

However, the UVVRP will still be implemented for private vehicles and other public utility vehicles for Tuesday and Wednesday.

But on November 1 and 2, the number coding scheme for all vehicles will be lifted in Metro Manila including in the cities of Makati and Las Pinas as announced earlier by the MMDA.

Tolentino said that the suspension of the UVVRP is part of MMDA's contingency plans for this week's holidays.

The MMDA earlier said about 8,000 to 10,000 traffic and law enforcers will be deployed during the holidays to man the streets of the metropolis.

"The public is assured that the MMDA shall strictly monitor and supervise traffic flow particularly in identified choke points to ensure the unhampered mobility of vehicles and pedestrians during Undas," Tolentino said.

The agency added that there will be a no day-off, no-absent policy for some of its personnel including traffic enforcers, metro aides, and sidewalk cleaning operatives.

Some MMDA personnel will also serve as medical and emergency teams, traffic and public assistants, and cemetery cleaners.

For instance, several MMDA personnel are already deployed at the Araneta Center Bus Terminal where the volume of passengers is expected to rise as the holidays near.

The agency also set up a mobile metrobase with closed-circuit television cameras to ensure the security of the public. (Emmanuel Louis Bacani/Sunnex)