Number Coding Policy in Kabacan, North Cotabato, Philippines

Identify your Audience: The Unified Vehicle Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP), or simply known
as the Number Coding Scheme, is a program implemented by the Metro Manila Development
Authority (MMDA) that restricts both private and public utility vehicles from traversing the roads
based on the last digit of the vehicle's license plate. Furthermore, the Number Coding Policy will be
presented to the Local Government Units of Kabacan, North Cotabato and transport groups.

Statement of the Problem: Traffic congestion in the main road of Kabacan during peak hours has
an adverse impact on the quality of life on the community. Traffic causes a huge impact on the
environment hence; the wasted fuel, increasing air pollution and carbon dioxide emissions; human
health due to stress, anxiety, and pollution; and economy which slows down economic activities by
reducing working hours and productivity.

Analysis of the Problem: In a 12-hour traffic volume of Kabacan-Pagalungan there was an

estimated 1,874 total traffic volume in the area and 1,333 total traffic volume in Carmen-Kabacan
based on traffic and logistics survey. By staying under the heat of the sun and reduce working hours
because of being late, really impacted the lives of many residents of Kabacan, and so with the
commuters who passed in the main road of Kabacan were impacted by traffic congestion. Rush
hours in the municipality starts at 6:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. when students report to school and workers
go to various offices. Heavy traffic is also observed from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Furthermore, the City
of Cotabato is a fast-growing area in terms of population with a limited space ideal for urban
development. The city has been experiencing traffic congestion for quite a time. In addition, cities
and key municipalities in the Philippines continue to undergo development even with the present
economic slowdown. As areas become urbanized people come to face to face with traffic
congestion (Regidor and Teodoro, 2003). According to Lidasan, et al. (2008) found out that among
cities the issue on transport and traffic ranked 6th overall (as cited in Rendon, M., et al., 2010).
Such issue is more critical in large cities, ranking 2nd among 11 other city-wide issues. It illustrates
how transportation and traffic problems become more prevalent as cities grow in size. The study
also highlighted the alarming problem of some medium-sized cities' urban transportation systems
that are already deteriorating.

Survey of Solutions: The UVVRP or Number Coding Scheme aims to lessen the traffic congestion in
the Philippines by banning vehicles that travel on public roads depending on their license plate. This
was based on Section 1 of Memorandum Regulation No. 96-005. As of 201. As a driver or even as a
car owner, it’s best to know your vehicle’s plate number, especially its last digit to avoid using it on
the imposed number coding days. Plate numbers that end with 1 and 2 are not allowed to travel on
certain roads every Monday. The same policy applies on plate numbers 3 and 4 every Tuesday, 5
and 6 every Wednesday, 7 and 8 every Thursday, and 9 and 0 every Friday.

In different cities, there were different rules regarding the Number Coding Scheme. In the vast city
of Manila, composed of several areas where vehicles can pass through. As such, there are certain
locations that implement the number coding scheme without window hours, while other Manila
 roads are set to follow the 7 AM to 10 AM and from 5 PM to 8 PM coding period with a window
period of 10 AM to 4 PM.

The City of San Juan is currently practicing the number coding scheme scheduled from 7 a.m. to 7
p.m. Along with its respective timeframe, restricted vehicles are allowed to roam during window
hours which commence from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. We have yet to receive information from the city if
they have adopted the implementation of the 7 AM to 10 AM and from 5 PM to 8 PM coding period
with a window period of 10 AM to 4 PM.

Recommendations: The following were the recommendations for the Numbers Coding Scheme in
Kabaca, North Cotabato:

1. Designate days for number coding scheme like plate number ended to 1-2 will be on Monday
and so on.
2. Designate specific hours for the implementation of number coding scheme like coding period
will be 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
3. Tap the capacitated personnel to orient or conduct training on transport and traffic
management.

Reference:

Fernandez, E., & Punzalan, N., (2019). Cotabato City starts traffic experiment. Retrieved December 11,
2022 from https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1075625

Orihara (2010). Chapter 4: Traffic and Logistics Survey. Retrieved December 11, 2022 from
https://openjicareport.jica.go.jp/pdf/11987419_03.pdf

Rendon, MC., et al. (2010). Institutionalizing Transport Impact Assessment: The Case of Cotabato City.
Retrieved December 11, 2022 from https://ncts.upd.edu.ph/tssp/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/2010-
04_rendon_final.pdf

Zulueta, AM,. (2002). The 2022 Guide to Number Coding in the Philippines. Retrieved December 11,
2022 from https://www.autodeal.com.ph/articles/car-features/2022-guide-number-coding-in-
philippines#:~:text=The%20Unified%20Vehicle%20Volume%20Reduction%20Program%20(UVVRP)%2C
%20or%20simply,of%20the%20vehicle's%20license%20plate.