The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Wednesday said that medical frontliners would be exempted from the modified number coding scheme that the agency intends to implement on June 1, if the Inter-Agency Task Force will approve the recommendation of the Metro Manila mayors to shift from modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) to general community quarantine (GCQ).
MMDA General Manager Jose Arture Garcia said the modified number coding was approved by the Metro Manila Council (MMC) meeting Tuesday night.
“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, clarifying news reports that frontliners are not exempted from the modified number coding scheme.
The modified number coding scheme was among the topics discussed during the virtual MMC meeting on Tuesday.
Metro Manila mayors who make up the MMC approved its implementation when the general community quarantine in Metro Manila takes effect.
Under the modified number coding scheme, coded-vehicles are allowed on major roads subject to condition that vehicles carry at least one passenger to maximize the use of the vehicle.
“Vehicles carrying more than one passenger, depending on the guidelines of the IATF on allowed passengers per type of vehicles, will be exempted from the existing number coding scheme. We want the motorists to maximize the use of private vehicles on the road,” said Garcia.
MECQ to GCQ
The MMC will recommend to the IATF the shifting of the National Capital Region to GCQ by June 1 but restrictions and limitations will remain according to the MMDA.
“Unanimously, all NCR mayors are acceptable to the place Metro Manila under GCQ but still we will wait for the decision of the IATF. Whatever decision that they will do, definitely we will follow and all mayors will be ready,” said Garcia in a virtual presser Tuesday night following the teleconference MMC meeting with Metro Manila mayors and other member-agencies of the MMC, presided by MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim.
Garcia said the MMDA and MMC members have also agreed on the following:
Imposition of lockdown
Under the GCQ, local government units are still allowed to impose a lockdown on specific barangays if needed, particularly “problematic” areas with high number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.
Mass transportation
Mode of transportation in Metro Manila is only limited to company-provided shuttle services, point-to-point vehicles, taxis, Transport Network Vehicle Services, and tricycles. Public Utility Buses and jeepneys remain prohibited under GCQ for the safety of the commuters.
According to Garcia, enforcement of social distancing protocols is easy to manage with said vehicles unlike PUBs and jeepneys.
The MMDA also encourages the use of bicycles as alternative mode of transport.
Moreover, Garcia said the Land Transportation, Franchising and Regulatory Board is doing a rationalization of bus route in the metropolis.
“Rationalized routes will replace old ones. Routes will be shortened to allow faster turnaround of buses,” said Garcia, noting 61 bus routes are traversing Edsa.
In line with this, putting up of footbridges and loading and unloading stations on strategic areas along Edsa is underway.
“This is the right time to change the behavior of the commuters. We need to change everything,” he said.
Implementation of modified number coding scheme
Vehicles carrying more than one passenger, depending on the guidelines of the IATF, are allowed to ply the streets, exempted from the existing number coding scheme.
“This is for motorists to maximize the vehicle’s seating capacity,” said Garcia. However, the MMDA to craft a resolution on this subject before its implementation.
Under GCQ, Garcia said restrictions and other safety protocols in the “New Normal” such as physical distancing and wearing of face masks are remain enforced.
Garcia said Chairman Lim will discuss the MMC’s recommendation to the IATF.
“The MMC and MMDA will respect whatever the IATF decides,” he said.
The MMC, comprised of the mayors of 16 cities and one municipality, is the governing and policy-making body of the MMDA.
The MMC, comprised of the mayors of the 16 cities and one municipality, is the governing and policy-making body of the MMDA.
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