The MMDA looks to be open to any suggestion, even far-reaching ones, in hopes of alleviating the heavy EDSA traffic. One suggestion that will be formally presented to the agency is a coding system that will be based on the brand of a vehicle.
In consideration of the worsening traffic problem, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) spokesperson Celine Pialago has reportedly considered plans on submitting a ‘vehicular brand reduction program’ to the MMDA on Monday, September 2, 2019.
Ariston Gorospe is a former consultant of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) during the Arroyo administration was the person who proposed this idea.
Based on the Land Transportation Office’s list of vehicles sold in 2018, here is Gorospe’s alleged proposal regarding how the manufactured vehicles will be grouped:
Mondays: Toyota
Tuesdays: Mitsubishi, Hyundai, Isuzu
Wednesdays: Nissan, Ford, Foton
Thursdays: Honda, Chevrolet, Mazda, Subaru
Fridays: Suzuki, Kia, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz
Saturdays: JAC, Tata, Audi, BAIC
Sundays: Mini and Lotus, Volvo, SsangYong, others
In a letter to MMDA chair Danilo Lim earlier this month, Gorospe said he believes that his system of converting the number coding scheme into a car model scheme instead will reduce Metro Manila’s traffic congestion.
It seems this crazy idea isn’t that crazy and new at all as some users on Twitter have already suggested the same thing in the past.
User @uiizhzhhhzhz tweeted: “Since talamak na po ang traffic kahit saan lugar, hindi po naging effective color or number coding, bakit hindi po natin subukan ang BRAND CODING? I think mas effective ito kaysa sa sinasabi ninyong mga barrier lines na plano ninyong ilagay sa edsa.”
[Rough translation: Since traffic is prevalent everywhere, color or number coding has not been effective, why don’t we try BRAND CODING? I think this is more effective than the barrier lines you plan to put in EDSA.]
@MMDA since talamak na po ang traffic kahit saan lugar, hindi po naging effective color/number coding, bakit hindi po natin subukan ang BRAND CODING? i think mas effective ito kaysa sa sinasabi ninyong mga barrier lines na plano ninyong ilagay sa edsa..
— Pepeng Kalabit Penge (@uiihzhzhhhzhz) August 8, 2019
A similar tweet suggesting the same idea of brand-coding was also posted last year by user @enielPH where he mentions that instead of number coding, we should try brand coding:
@MMDA @LTFRB hindi pwede yung NO TO SINGLE policy sa edsa. Paano kung edsa lang tlga ang route?? Alam nyo instead of Number coding, bakit hindi per brand ng sasakyan ang gawin nyong coding? Tgnan lang ntin kung may traffic pa.
— Eniel (@enielPH) August 15, 2018
Older tweets can be traced back on Twitter with the same suggestions:
Brand coding and at the same time number coding's the best solution for the heavy traffic at edsa. Well, just an opinion tho
— 𝘣𝘦𝘢 (@betchaayyy) November 13, 2015
Para mabawasan ang traffic sa edsa baguhin ang coding, insdtead of number coding gawing coding by CAR BRAND!
— Michael Barot (@michael051179) February 17, 2014
Even as early as 2013, people have been open to the idea of brand coding.
@KM_Jessica_Soho Brand Coding Scheme! in Addition to present Coding Scheme! A specific Vehicular Manufacturer wil not be allowed to Use Edsa
— ron benitez (@tagataguigito27) April 6, 2013
Regarding this proposal, Pialago shared: “We appreciate this and what we want to get across is that our agency does not create policies on its own.”
“We accept all of them. Because with the chaotic situation that we have right now, who knows, maybe a drastic measure is what we need,” she added.
Maybe the past April Fool’s joke we had about a New Color Coding Scheme on Metro Manila Roads might be considered after all.
What do you think about brand coding? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below!
