Quezon City, Philippines – The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has announced that the 'window hour' for the number coding scheme in the National Capital Region (NCR) will remain in effect. This decision is based on the current vehicular traffic conditions and aims to accommodate residents with only one vehicle during the holiday season.
According to Philippines News Agency, speaking at a press conference at the Philippine Information Agency in Quezon City, the decision to retain the 'window hour' was made after considering the needs of those who depend on a single vehicle for transportation. The 'window hour' scheme allows vehicles to be on the road even on their designated coding day during non-peak hours. The number coding will be enforced only during peak hours of 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
This arrangement is part of a broader strategy to manage traffic during the holiday season, based on a two-week study to anticipate traffic conditions. Artes expressed confidence that these measures would prevent the streets of Metro Manila from becoming overly congested as Christmas approaches.
To further alleviate traffic congestion, the MMDA plans to implement several traffic management measures. These include intensifying clearing operations, temporarily suspending excavation activities, and adjusting mall hours. A specialized 76-man strike force against illegal parking will support the MMDA's existing clearing operations, which currently cover only four areas per day. The strike force, divided into small teams and equipped with motorcycles, body-worn cameras, and handheld ticketing devices, aims to increase efficiency in issuing tickets and covering more areas, potentially visiting at least 10 locations per day.
Additionally, the temporary suspension of excavation activities, which began on November 13, will continue until January 8, 2024. This suspension, however, does not apply to government flagship infrastructure projects, emergency repairs by water providers, emergency projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways, and Meralco relocation works.
Mall hours in the NCR have also been adjusted to minimize their impact on traffic during peak hours. Malls will now open at 11 a.m. and may remain open until 11 p.m., while deliveries are restricted to the hours of 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
In line with these changes, the MMDA has extended the duty hours of their enforcers until midnight to ensure the safety and smooth flow of traffic in the region.