Now that the National Capital Region (NCR) is under Alert Level 1, the City of Makati finds it timely to bring back the regular number coding scheme in its area to ease traffic.

Starting March 16 the number-coding scheme will be implemented in Makati, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. This was announced on Makati’s official Facebook page. According to the announcement, all the prior exemptions are removed. This time, the only people exempted are Senior Citizen Blue Card holders (as drivers or passengers), those traveling under official business, and those with medical emergencies stated in the Makati Traffic Code.  However, this number coding scheme is suspended during holidays. 

Currently, the number coding scheme enforced in the Metro is from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The City of Makati is the first to bring back the regular number-coding scheme, although they have always been independent in terms of number coding application. 

Nevertheless, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is already considering the same for NCR.

“Nakikita na po natin ‘yung pagbigat ng trapiko at ‘yung pagdagdag ng volume ng mga sasakyan, hindi lang po sa Edsa kundi sa buong Kamaynilaan,” Nebrija said on TeleRadyo’s Sakto.

“Isa sa mga options na cino-consider, ‘yun nga po, i-whole day, that’s one option. Additional 7 to 9 (a.m.) that’s another option,” he added.