THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced on Tuesday an extension of the dry run for its odd-even number coding scheme on EDSA to a full month.
Initially scheduled for a week starting June 16, 2025, the dry run will now continue for four weeks to allow for a more comprehensive assessment of its effectiveness.
The MMDA cited the need for a longer trial period to gather sufficient data and better inform the public about the scheme’s implementation.
While no tickets or fines will be issued during the extended dry run, the MMDA will actively inform motorists who violate the policy as part of an ongoing public information campaign.
This approach aims to educate drivers about the new traffic management strategy and encourage compliance before the full implementation of the odd-even scheme.
The extended dry run period will provide valuable feedback on potential challenges and adjustments needed to optimize the system’s efficiency and minimize disruption.
The MMDA emphasized that the odd-even scheme will only be implemented on EDSA during this trial period.
The agency will use the data collected during the month-long dry run to refine the policy and address any unforeseen issues before its full-scale implementation.
This extended period will allow for a more thorough evaluation, ensuring a smoother transition and minimizing potential negative impacts on traffic flow in the long run.The odd-even scheme on EDSA will be implemented to reduce the volume of vehicles in light of the expected heavy traffic during the rehabilitation of the major thoroughfare.
“Ang bawal po sa EDSA, ‘yung 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 na ending plate ay bawal ng Monday, Wednesday and Friday. ‘Yung 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 ay bawal ng Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday. Sunday po, libre po gumamit ng EDSA ang lahat ng sasakyan,” MMDA chairperson Romando Artes said.
(Vehicles with 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 ending plates are not allowed on EDSA on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Those with 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 ending plates are not allowed on Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday. On Sunday, all vehicles are free to pass through EDSA.)
The odd-even scheme will be initially implemented for 24 hours, but the MMDA plans to provide a window period from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. later on.
