MMDA: PWDs, senior citizens may apply for number coding exemption

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 27) — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) reminded motorists that senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) may apply for exemption from the number coding scheme.

MMDA traffic chief Bong Nebrija told CNN Philippines' The Source that senior citizens need to submit to them a copy of their vehicle's official receipt and certificate of registration and their senior citizen's card, and pay a P1,000 fee to apply for exemption. He added that the MMDA may also require senior citizens and PWDs to submit a medical certificate.

The MMDA's website also said that those who want to apply for exemption from the number coding scheme need to submit a letter of request addressed to the MMDA chairman.

Nebrija said senior citizens and PWDs have to undergo this registration process even if some local government units allow for automatic exemption from the number coding scheme as they want to ensure that there are fewer vehicles on the road.

"A senior citizen, for example, you have multiple cars, four cars with different plate number endings, so basically you are number coded on four days. So what we're trying to do is to limit the use of motor vehicles. If senior citizens can use each one, that means we're not reducing motor vehicles," he said.

But he said that the MMDA is open to adopting the automatic exemption scheme implemented in certain cities, but added that this would have to be discussed with the Metro Manila Council (MMC).

Nebrija mentioned this in light of the MMDA policy lifting window hours on number coding on EDSA and other major thoroughfares in Metro Manila, which became effective on Tuesday.

He said different cities in Metro Manila imposed different window hours on the number coding scheme, allowing cars that should not be on the road for the day to pass through on certain hours.

But now, Nebrija said, the policy is clear cut, "If you're coding, it's 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., you cannot bring out your car."

He added that the MMC, which is composed of the mayors of Metro Manila, have also agreed to amend their existing coding schemes and traffic codes to complement each other.

The Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program, also known as the number coding scheme, is enforced on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on all major Metro Manila roads.

Vehicles banned on certain days of the week based on their license plates or conduction stickers are prohibited from these roads during the period.

CNN Philippines Multi-platform Writer Xave Gregorio contributed to this report.