The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) suspended the number coding scheme on Monday, March 6, the first day of the nationwide transport strike.

In a statement on Sunday, MMDA General Manager Usec. Procopio Lipana said the lifting of the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) will take effect for one day only.

"We will assess if there is a need to suspend the number coding scheme on the succeeding days, depending on the gravity of the transport strike," Lipana added.

Earlier, the agency said it has prepared 25 transport vehicles that will offer libreng sakay for commuters affected by the week-long strike.

According to MMDA acting chairman Don Artes, four air-conditioned buses, two non-air-conditioned buses, and 13 commuter vans will be deployed.

Several local government units (LGU) have also launched their own libreng sakay initiatives.

Last week, transportation groups declared a week-long tigil pasada with 40,000 traditional jeepneys, and UV Express are expected to join.

This is in protest against the government's public utility vehicles modernization program (PUV-MP).