Drive a Car? There's a Modified Number Coding Scheme for GCQ

Metro Manila is yet to shift to general community quarantine (GCQ), but the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority has released new transport guidelines for the region, which they plan to implement on June 1.

According to MMDA General Manager Jojo Garica, there will be a modified number-coding scheme for vehicles that will ply the streets of Metro Manila. Private car owners will be exempted from coding, but must carry at least two passengers. 

The prior coding scheme barred vehicles from major roads, depending on the last number of the car’s plate number. It was suspended starting March 13, due to the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) is yet to release guidelines for riding in private cars, but Garcia said the MMDA will comply with the task force’s recommendations.

Medical frontliners are exempted from the coding scheme.

“The MMDA understands the plight of the medical frontliners so we want to assist them during this challenging time. We hope that by exempting them from the modified number coding scheme, we are helping to provide ease and convenience to their daily transport,” Garcia said in a statement.