NUMBER CODING STAYS IN MAKATI APRIL 19 TO 20, BUT LIFTED ON MAUNDY THURSDAY, GOOD FRIDAY
posted 04/15/2011 01:21 PM FRIDAY
The city government of Makati today announced that it will continue to enforce the number coding scheme on April 19 to 20 as these are considered regular working days and traffic is not expected to lighten.
Makati Public Safety chief Hermenegildo San Miguel said the scheme, also known as the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP), will only be suspended on April 21 and April 22, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, respectively, in deference to the Lenten celebration.
“As a policy, Makati lifts the number coding scheme on official holidays and weekends only. With an average of over 700,000 vehicles passing through the city roads on weekdays, suspending the UVVRP on Tuesday and Wednesday will only worsen traffic situation in the city,” San Miguel said.
Under the scheme, vehicles with plate numbers ending in 3 and 4 are barred from city roads from 7am to 7pm on Tuesdays, and on Wednesdays, it covers those with plate numbers ending in 5 and 6. The 10am to 3pm window is not observed in Makati.
However, the city traffic chief said motorists covered by the scheme can pass through national roads in Makati that include C-5, EDSA and Sen. Sergio Osmena Highway.
San Miguel also reminded motorists to obey the city’s traffic rules because these will be strictly enforced by the Department of Public Safety, the Makati Police and deputized barangay traffic enforcers.
Earlier, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced that the number coding scheme is lifted starting Holy Tuesday, April 19, up to Good Friday, April 22.