A two-day number coding scheme on Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) has been formally proposed by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to the Metro Manila Council.

At President Rodrigo Duterte’s Talk to the People late Monday night, MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said the proposal is now pending approval. If approved by the 17 local chief executives of the National Capital Region, the scheme could take effect as early as May 1, 2022. 

Last month, the agency proposed three traffic volume reduction schemes for its Unified Volume Reduction Program but deemed the two-day coding scheme as the best solution. Under this new number coding scheme, plate numbers ending in the following numbers must stay off EDSA from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the following days:

• 1, 2: Monday, Wednesday
• 3, 4: Monday, Thursday
• 5, 6: Tuesday, Thursday
• 7, 8: Tuesday, Friday
• 9, 0: Wednesday, Friday

The scheme only applies to private vehicles, Artes said. This means that taxis, Transport Network Vehicle Service, public utility jeepneys, buses, and the like are all excluded. 

Artes added that the scheme could reduce up to 1,174 private cars on the northbound side of EDSA, ensuring a “light to moderate flow” of vehicles.

In a 2018 study, the Japan International Cooperation Agency said that traffic costs the Philippines P3.5 billion in “lost opportunities” daily. The amount is expected to triple in number by the year 2030.