Wednesday, January 23, 2008

The guys noticed that a lot of the people visiting the site were searching for rules on the MMDA's UVVRP. So, we decided to take a look at the MMDA's site and post whatever they have there here.

The UVVRP is in effect from 7:00am to 10:00am and 3:00pm to 7:00pm, Mondays to Fridays, for all cities in Metro Manila, EXCEPT for Marikina, Pasig and Paranaque, which have opted not to implement the program. Also, for the cities of Makati, Malabon and Las Pinas, the UVVRP is in effect from 7:00am to 7:00pm, effectively removing the 10:00am to 3:00pm window. However, the main thoroughfares of EDSA, C5 and Macapagal Ave. passing through these cities are exempted from the UVVRP during the window hours of 10:00am to 3:00pm. The UVVRP is also automatically suspended on regular and special holidays for all cities in the metro.

For those who may be unaware, vehicles with plate numbers ending in 1 and 2 are not allowed on the road during these times on Mondays, 3 and 4 on Tuesdays, 5 and 6 on Wednesdays, 7 and 8 on Thursdays and 9 and 0 on Fridays. If the vehicle has not yet been issued a license plate, the last number on the conduction sticker will be used instead.

As for exemptions, there are a lot of these, and the language used is kinda daunting. Here's our attempt to summarize the ones that are contestable. However, note that enforcers can still stop you anytime to confirm whether an exemption applies.

1. Medical practitioners can use their vehicles only if they are responding to medical emergencies. So, being late for the clinic, going home from the hospital or picking up the kids from school does not count, even if you have an MD or Doctor on Call signboard on the vehicle.

2. Media personalities can use their vehicles only if they are on official duties and they display a signboard showing the media agency that they represent. Note that enforcers have the right to confirm this with the concerned media agency, although it is doubtful that they will do this.

3. Non-emergency government vehicles, whether they have the appropriate markings, plates, stickers or otherwise, need to present a duly approved itinerary of travel or trip ticket. If the vehicle does not sport red plates, they also have to present registration papers showing that the vehicle is government-owned.

4. For people who own multiple vehicles bearing the same ending number, they can apply for a permanent exemption for their other vehicle(s) as long as they are all registered under a single name. We are not sure though whether they will be provided with a certificate or if an official sticker, signboard or whatever will have to be displayed on the vehicle or if they will be assigned another number that will apply to the UVVRP. If you ask us, it's better just to apply for a change in plate number. Much less confusing for both the owner and the enforcers.

5. Partial exemptions are also provided to vehicles of members of the Integrated Metro Bus Operators Association, Provincial Bus Operators Association of the Philippines and the Southern Luzon Bus Operators Association, as long as the corresponding MMDA-issued stickers are displayed. What "partial exemption" means or why these people deserve an exemption, we have no idea.

6. All motorcycles are exempted from the UVVRP.

People can also apply for a one-day exemption at the MMDA, but only on the day before they desired exemption date. The MMDA Chairman can also issue exemption certificates based on "highly exceptional circumstances."

Now if you are apprehended, enforcers will confiscate your license and issue you a ticket carrying a fine of P300.00. Based on experience and feedback from the enforcers themselves, once you get caught and are issued a ticket, you can now use your vehicle for the rest of the day. If you're caught again, just show them the ticket and they'll let you go. Which is pretty dumb, in our opinion.

Anyway, for the complete list of exemptions, here is a link to the MMDA's latest regulation covering the UVVRP.

Finally, using commemorative plates DOES NOT, in any circumstance, exempt vehicles from the UVVRP. Though it does make it harder for them to catch you.

Hope this clarifies things for everyone.

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

Updated to reflect the no window rule of Las Pinas, which was first implemented late June 2008.

Anonymous said...

Just want to thank you for this. Very useful. Hope you can keep updating!

Anonymous said...

hey louie, you're very much welcome! hope you can spread the news and even contribute!

Unknown said...

very informative. would also like to know which cities aside from marikina do not have number coding.

Anonymous said...

hey boboy, great suggestion! will try to incorporate that information. problem is there's no definitive source on the net that says which cities have opted not to implement uvvrp. will try our best, though, and update the site once we get something definite.

J. said...

hi HK! you mentioned 300 is the fine for mmda-accosted violations, but how about in the planet of makati?

thanks for this very useful guide!!

Anonymous said...

hi j. as far as we know, makati should charge the same fees for traffic violations as the rest of the metro, so it should still be 300 bucks. the main difference is that they have a late payment interest scheme that can really bloat the fine if you pay beyond the 7-day window.

and you're very much welcome!

Anonymous said...

updated to reflect the cities that have no coding (Marikina and Pasay) and those that have no window (Makati, Las Pinas and Malabon). this information was provided by the mmda through their 136 hotline.

Anonymous said...

updated AGAIN to reflect the latest info from the mmda hotline. labo talaga ng mmda.

Anonymous said...

Thanks very much for always keeping us informed. More power!

Anonymous said...

Excellent post, thank you!! =)

Anonymous said...

very informative!

just want to ask if Ortigas CBD is covered by Pasig no coding?

sandiess said...

MC ARTHUR HIGHWAY passing through MALABON to BULACAN is open during window hours of 10am to 3pm confirmed via MMDA HOTLINE 136.......

Anonymous said...

if you get caught, then you can show the ticket they issued you once you get caught again during the same day. Why do you think this is dumb, in your opinion.

No really, tell us. I dont see why this is dumb. You went out and violated a rule. Once caught, what would you expect yourself to do? Go back home so youll never be caught again? when in the first place, you went out already, and got caught already.

Please enlighten us.

The Huli Ka! Team said...

Hi Anonymous (Aug 23, 2009 10:53:00 PM),

Thanks for your comment. We always welcome differing opinions and healthy debates.

Anyway, why do we think this is dumb? The fine that you pay if you are caught violating the UVVRP is a PENALTY, not a form of payment to allow you to continue violating the UVVRP. This goes against the objective of the regulation, which is to reduce the number of vehicles on the road during rush hours in order to ease traffic. By allowing those who were already caught to continue on for the rest of the day, then that would go against said objective.

We do agree, however, that the driver should be give a reasonable amount of time (maybe around an hour) after they were caught to get to their destination and off the streets. But to have them continue on after that would be unreasonable. For example, if a person was caught in the morning coding window, that person should not be allowed to use that same vehicle during the afternoon/evening window.

Hope this helps you understand our position. Thanks again!

shinobi said...

I agree with you HK that it is pretty dumb or maybe it just goes to show what their objective really is... to get money... IMHO... Thanks for this blog post. very informative!

The Huli Ka! Team said...

Thanks, shinobi!

KC DISTRIBUTORS said...

hloiday ba tomorrow NOv 2? wala bang number coding tomorrow?

Anonymous said...

may coding na sa pasig.

Lyle T said...

Guys Great Job you did here!! i almost bought a Commemorative Plate since they alleged that i will be exempted from Coding! but good thing you verified it!! MORE POWER TO HULI KA!!! thanks!!

Barney said...

Sakto nga na nagreresume ang UVVRP pag 3 PM na. galing kc kami ng Shang tapos nagmamadali kami makalbas ng EDSA kc papauwe na kami ng Laguna matapos naming mglunch. Cguro last time I check my watch, 3:05 PM plng. Pero since 3:00 PM nga nman ang cmula, ayun, huli kami sa shortcut sa may EDSA-Buendia. hehe.

Anonymous said...

Hi guys, thanks for the info, this is really helpful, i got caught yesterday at Makati for Coding coz i didn't know that the commemorative plates doesn't really exempt you from coding. Well, it's Makati, what can you say...

Anonymous said...

Hi guys, i just have a question, hope that you guys can help me out, here it is: How do you determine if your Driver's License is FAKE? coz i had a FIXER help me out at LTO.

Thanks!

XeQtioner10 said...

why do makati doesnt recognize commemorative plates without the licensed plate seen in front? they prefer to have it above the original plate which looks so ridiculous.. but in manila, commemorative plate alone is not questionable, only in makati..

Anonymous said...

hi share ko lng yun nanyare sakin ng mga kotong pulis cap! sa my edsa-taft station ng mrt sa pasay.. hinuli ako ng mmda EUGENIO ang pangalan nagkamali ako dahil sa unloading aminado ako dun pero ang dami pa nya hinihingi sa akin na kesyo 1500 daw babayaran eh estudyante palang ako nagmamakaawa sa kanya.. hindi padin ako pinatawad kinokotongan pako ng 500 para dw sa hepe nya. ayaw tanggapin ang 100 na binibigay ko.. ABUSADONG MMDA YAN kaya wala asenso ang PILIPINAS..

kamote said...

Thank you. This was very helpful. Just want to clarify one thing: sa UVVRP, mga major routes/ roads (EDSA, Quezon Ave) lang ba ang kasali? How about those side streets and non major roads (kalayaan ave, new manila are etc)? Been trying to find the answer to this. Thanks.