An updated volume reduction policy is expected to be recommended within the week following the implementation of Alert Level 1 in the National Capital Region (NCR), according to the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Tuesday.
NCR has eased transportation restrictions amid the implementation of Alert Level 1, and commuters are starting to feel slower traffic flow, especially along EDSA.
MMDA EDSA Traffic Chief Bong Nebrija said it is still looking at what kind of volume reduction policy could be implemented with the current situation, but said that data collection is already in progress.
"Kinukuha po namin 'yung volume in different parts of EDSA at different times. So medyo time-intensive saka manpower-intensive 'yung pagkuha niyan," he told DZRH in an interview.
(We are collecting the volume in different parts of EDSA at different times. So the collection is slightly time-intensive and manpower-intensive.)
"Ang estimate ko po niyan, within the week makakuha na po tayo ng bagong data, ma-collate na po natin 'yung volume count na 'to, and we could already recommend to MMC (Metro Manila Council)," he added.
(My estimate is that within the week we would be able to collect new data. We will collate the volume count and we could already recommend it to the MMC.)
According to Nebrija, they do not want to rush the formulation of a new recommendation in order to prevent indecisiveness on the MMDA's part in recommending new policies to the MMC.
The Metro Manila mayors will ultimately decide on whether to adopt the recommendation of the MMDA on volume reduction policies. Previous initiatives under it include the number coding scheme, which was implemented when Metro Manila was in Alert Level 2.
The current number coding scheme covers only private vehicles from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays except on holidays.
