Brace Yourselves, Moms & Dads! The Expanded Color Coding Scheme Is Coming!

In an effort to curb the traffic from face-to-face classes, the MMDA will now be implementing the expanded color coding scheme.

“If you can drive in Manila, you can drive anywhere” — an old adage that most drivers pass around to the new ones to deal with Manila’s forever state of Carmageddon. However, on August 15, the MMDA will implement the newly expanded color coding scheme to curb traffic. Apprehensions however will start on August 18, 2022.

The #MMDA will start the reimplementation of the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) or number coding scheme in the National Capital Region effective August 15, from 7-10am and 5-8pm on weekdays except holidays.

READ MORE: https://t.co/IP9OlYAJSt pic.twitter.com/pIr1uC228S

— Official MMDA (@MMDA) August 11, 2022

“We will not conduct arrests yet. We’ll just remind them,” MMDA’s Acting Chairman Engr. Carlo Dimayuga assures in Filipino. “But on the 18th, [the arrests] will begin. We will start to hand out tickets.”

How does the expanded color coding scheme work?

The new thing they added is an extra time frame when people can’t go out. The new color coding will be effective from 7 AM to 10 AM AND 5 PM to 8 PM. However, this doesn’t apply to Makati City whose color coding window will still be from 7 AM to 7 PM. Saturdays and Sundays will still be a free-for-all scheme.

But there are some exemptions to these rules. Some of these vehicles include the following:

• Tricycles
• Ambulances
• Marked media vehicles
• Marked government vehicles
• Motor vehicles with perishable goods
• Certified doctors’ cars (especially those on call) — Usually have an “MD” on them.
• Utility Trucks (i.e. Fire Trucks, Garbage Trucks, Fuel Trucks)
• Transport Network Vehicles

Unfortunately, kids, teens, and we will HAVE TO get up. Or, carpool.

The new coding scheme will need parents to shift their schedules a little bit. While most schools start at 7 AM, that means students will have to leave the house by 5:30 AM to account for traffic. It’s not going to be fun, that’s for sure. Dragging the kids and teens out of bed — even if they sleep early — isn’t going to be a battle we’re going to love doing. But they’ll have to. Either that or they start carpooling.

More back-to-school issues? Here’s more!

Guidelines for Enrollment: A Summary of DepEd Order 35, .2022
How To Protect Your Kids from COVID-19 During Face-to-Face Classes
Why Your Kids and Teens May Not Be Open To Face-To-Face Classes