Number coding to resume tomorrow

The Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP, commonly known as the expanded number coding scheme) will resume tomorrow, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) declared.

MMDA Acting Chairman Romando Artes made the announcement after reporting that the first day of the week-long transport strike had a minimal effect on commuters.

During a press briefing today (March 6), MMDA General Manager Undersecretary Procopio Lipana shared that 88 of the 1,680 vehicles allocated by the national and local government units were utilized to ferry commuters affected by the event. "Only five percent of our assets have been utilized and catered to 3,584 passengers," Lipana shared.

Artes attributed the minimal impact of the transport strike to the government's contingency measures that were put into play to counter the effects of the transport strike.

"Because of the unified efforts of concerned agencies, we were able to prepare and address the needs of the riding public," Artes noted.  "Ahead of the transport strike, assets were pre-positioned, contingency plans were in place, and routes that would be affected by the strike were identified," he added.

Philippine National Police-National Capital Region Police Office Operations Officer Colonel Roman Arugay described the first day of the transport strike as peaceful. "No major untoward incidents were reported except for minor ones, such as PUV drivers who held demonstrations, protesters who obstructed streets, and coerced PUV drivers to join the protest. No injuries or harm occurred. No arrest has been made," he said.

During the briefing, Land Transport Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Franchise Planning and Monitoring Division Officer-in-Charge Atty. Jocelyn Tataro said the agency will continuously monitor situations for any possible disturbances as well as provide assistance to the riding public.

Relatedly, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Undersecretary Mark Steven Pastor said that the agency is open for dialogues with transport groups. "We want to hear the concerns of the transport groups and what we can do about it. Let us reiterate that there will be no phaseout of jeepney units," said Pastor.

In a separate statement, labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno said that drivers and operators received threats such as franchise revocation should they join the weeklong transport strike.

The group also reiterated its demand to urgently junk the Department Order 2017-011 (Omnibus Franchising Guidelines) and its accompanying LTFRB Memorandum Circulars.

Photos from Kilusang Mayo Uno Facebook page, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority

Also read:

MMDA hints possible number coding suspension next week

MMDA eyes twice-a-week number coding scheme for private vehicles

LTFRB nabs 20 modern PUV units for overloading