MMDA extends no window hours policy for 6 months

MANILA –The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has extended the implementation of the no window hours policy for the unified vehicular volume reduction program (UVRP) or the number coding scheme for six months or from February 1 to July 31, 2017.

The no window hours policy was implemented on Nov. 2, 2016 to ease the expected Yuletide season traffic and will expire on January 31, 2017.

MMDA General Manager Thomas Orbos said the decision was made upon consultation with the Metro Manila Council (MMC) and the Inter-Agency Council on Traffic (I-ACT), which is composed of the Department of Transportation, Land Transportation Office, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, and the Philippine National Police- Highway Patrol Group.

Orbos said the suspension of the window hours which was usually from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for those vehicles banned on a certain day of the week depending on the license plate ending digits, has eased traffic congestion along major thoroughfares in Metro Manila.

He also believes that the decision to extend the no window hours scheme will not result to people buying another vehicle because it will only be temporary.

“We do not see motorists resort to buying another car just to avoid the No Window Hours policy. It is just impractical,” he said.

The extension of the no window hours will be discussed again at the next regular meeting of the MMC which is made up of 17 Metro Manila mayors.

The window hour for the UVRP has been suspended from 10a.m. to 3p.m. for those vehicles banned on a certain day of the week depending on the ending digits of the license plates.

Under the existing UVVRP, the number coding scheme is also expanded to cover all circumferential and radial roads in Metro Manila.