National holidays would always see the suspension of the MMDA Number Coding scheme. This year’s Holy Week will be no different, and it has been announced that Coding will be suspended in observance of the holidays. From April 6-10, all vehicles will be free to roam around the Metro’s streets without fear of being apprehended.
UPDATED 3 April 2023
Photo: MMDA
Coding will start being lifted on Wednesday, April 5, 2023. There will be NO Coding from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM on that day.
Photo: My Makati
As for Makati, the City has likewise declared that it will be lifting the Number Coding Scheme from April 6-10, which includes Maundy Thursday until Easter Sunday, as well as the Day of Valor celebration day that is on April 10.
No MMDA Number Coding for Holy Week 2023
Photo: MMDA
Otherwise known as the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program or UVVRP, the Coding scheme will be suspended starting Maundy Thursday the 6th until Monday the 10th, which was also declared as another holiday to celebrate the Day of Valor that actually falls on Easter Sunday the 9th.
Photo: LTO
To further maintain order and safety, the LTO will likewise be on heightened alert starting March 31 and will be launching “Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Semana Santa and Summer Vacation 2023”. LTO Chief Jay Art Tugade announced that officials and enforcers of his agency will be on the ground to inspect the roadworthiness of PUVs set to travel during the holiday, inspect terminals, help commuters on their way, as well as to conduct random drug tests on drivers and conductors.
“Wala kaming hangad sa LTO kundi ang masigurong mairaraos nang maayos at ligtas ang Holy Week at bakasyon ng ating mga kababayan. Hinihingi rin namin ang pakikiisa ng publiko sa pag-iingat at pagsunod sa mga batas-trapiko para sa biyaheng ayos ngayong taon [The LTO only wants to ensure that the Holy Week and vacation of everyone is orderly and safe. We ask for the public’s cooperation in being careful and following traffic laws for safe travels this year],” Tugade said.
Photo: MMDA
The Metro Manila Development Authority will also be setting up a multi-agency command center (MACC) “to ensure a peaceful and meaningful observance of Lent this year”. Oplan Metro Alalay Semana Santa 2023 will run from Holy Wednesday until April 10 and will see the deployment of a total of 2,104 personnel on major thoroughfares, major transport hubs, and key areas in the metropolis to ensure the safe and smooth traffic flow this Lenten season.
The MACC will give way to a faster and more coordinated traffic management response as the inter-agency task force monitors the status of key transport hubs and major roads through closed-circuit television cameras (CCTVs). “Through this inter-agency action center, we can monitor real-time updates on bus terminals across Metro Manila to ensure safer travel of the commuting public and orderly traffic flow in our roads as we observe the Holy Week,” Atty. Don Artes, MMDA Acting Chairman said.
Every year sees an exodus of vehicles during Holy Week, and that’s not about to change this year. With the suspension of the MMDA Number Coding, as well as collaborative efforts from various agencies, we hope that all of you are granted safe travels ahead. Plan your routes ahead of time because there will be a lot of vehicles and motorists heading out of the Metro, for sure.
