The National Press Club (NPC) said it will appeal to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) for its decision not to grant an exemption to marked media vehicles on the odd-even traffic scheme along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA).
“The NPC recognizes the MMDA in their efforts in traffic decongestion, but we will ask the good (MMDA) chairman to reconsider it,” NPC president Leonel “Boying” Abasola said in a statement.
Under this scheme, marked media vehicles, as well as reporters responding to a crime or incidents involving the Metro Railway Transit-3 (MRT-3), such as accidents or technical glitches, will not be exempt.
An NPC director informed Manila Standard that the organization will invite MMDA officials to a forum for further clarification.
“This is not acceptable. What will happen to media members responding to incidents occurring on EDSA?” the director expressed.
Doctors on emergency calls are also not exempt from this policy.
According to the MMDA Traffic Engineering Center, the following categories of vehicles are exempt from the odd-even scheme:
1. Electric Vehicles (EVs), Plug-in Hybrids, and Hybrids recognized by the Department of Energy under the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA).
2. Non-motorized vehicles.
3. Emergency vehicles, including ambulances, fire trucks, and police mobile units.
4. Public Utility Vehicles, such as city buses, jeepneys, and taxis.
5. Transport Network Vehicles (TNVs) that operate under accredited ride-hailing platforms.
6. Authorized government vehicles with official plates used for essential services.
Vehicles that are crossing EDSA at intersections are also exempt from this scheme.
