Doctors on emergency calls and marked media vehicles will not be exempt from the odd-even traffic plan, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced on Tuesday.
MMDA said it plans to implement the policy when the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) rebuilding project begins on June 13.
According to the MMDA Traffic Engineering Center, the following categories of vehicles are exempt from the odd-even scheme:
- Electric Vehicles (EVs), Plug-in Hybrids, and Hybrids recognized by the Department of Energy under the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA).
- Non-motorized vehicles.
- Emergency vehicles, such as ambulances, fire trucks, and police mobile units.
- Public Utility Vehicles, including city buses, jeepneys, and taxis.
- Transport Network Vehicles (TNVs) that operate under accredited ride-hailing platforms.
- Authorized marked government vehicles with official plates used for essential services.
Vehicles crossing EDSA at intersections are also exempt from the odd-even scheme.
MMDA Chairman Romando Artes clarified that the odd-even scheme will only be implemented on EDSA and will have a one-month dry run starting on June 16. During this month, no one will be apprehended; those who violate the scheme will only receive a warning and notice, but will not be fined.
Under this plan, vehicles will be prohibited from using EDSA on specific days based on their license plate numbers. Vehicles ending in 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 will not be allowed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, while those ending in 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 will be restricted on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Sundays and holidays will be free for all vehicles.
The MMDA also stated that there will be no window hours for this traffic regulation.
This initiative aims to alleviate road congestion while the 23.8-kilometer stretch of EDSA undergoes rehabilitation.
The odd-even scheme was first introduced during the administration of the late President Corazon Aquino, when then Transportation Secretary Oscar Orbos implemented it as a solution to traffic problems in Metro Manila.
However, the government eventually discontinued the program following complaints from motorists and its failure to effectively reduce traffic congestion.
Currently, under the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP), vehicles with license plates ending in 1 and 2 are banned from major roads in Metro Manila every Monday; those ending in 3 and 4 are restricted every Tuesday; 5 and 6 every Wednesday; 7 and 8 every Thursday; and 9 and 0 every Friday. The restrictions are lifted on Saturdays, Sundays, and regular holidays.
The UVVRP will continue to be enforced in other parts of the National Capital Region under the jurisdiction of MMDA.
Also starting June 16, trucks and provincial buses will only be permitted to use EDSA from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. to help ease traffic congestion during the highway’s reconstruction.
