How the Coding Hours System Works in Philippines
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority has implemented number coding scheme across entire National Capital Region. People residing in Manila, Makati, Quezon City and other cities should learn how coding hours system works in the Philippines and when the coding system is not active.
What Are Coding Hours?
The coding hours are the time period when private vehicles are prohibited to pass through major roads of all cities in Metro Manila. The number coding hours system is applied on all major and busy roads where the vehicle volume is high.
What Are Coding Window Hours?
The coding window hours are the time period when number coding hours are not active. During window hours, all vehicles are allowed to pass through all roads without any restriction. The coding window hours give relief to private vehicles which are prohibited to pass through major roads during coding hours.
Coding Hours and Coding Window Hours Timings
The MMDA Authority has applied coding hours system during peak hours only. The peak hours are the time period when there are plenty of vehicles on major roads of all cities.
This happens because most people go to school, college and workplace during early morning and return in the evening. So, the peak hours are divided in two parts i.e. morning session and evening session.
Coding Hours Schedule
The MMDA Coding Hours Timings are 3 hours in the morning and 3 hours in the evening, given as follows.
- Monday to Friday: 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
- Saturday and Sunday: Coding Hours Not Applicable
- Public Holidays: Coding Hours Not Applicable
Coding Window Hours Schedule
The MMDA Authority provides some free period between morning session and evening session of coding hours. This free period is known as coding window hours when the restriction does not apply. So, the private vehicles can pass through all coded roads during window hours.
Here I provide MMDA Coding Window Hours Timings as follows.
- Monday to Friday: from 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM
- Saturday and Sunday: Not Applicable
- Public Holidays: Not Applicable
Is Coding Hours System Active at Night?
No, the number coding hours system is Not active at night. After the coding hours timings end at 8:00 PM, there are no coding hours or restrictions till 7:00 AM in the morning on next day.
Which Cities Follow Coding Hours System in Philippines?
There are 17 cities situated in the Metro Manila NCR (National Capital Region) that follow coding hours system in the Philippines. Here I provide the list of cities and their coding hours schedule for you.
| City Name | Coding Hours Schedule | |
| Monday to Friday | Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays | |
| Makati City | 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM | Not Applicable |
| All Other Cities:Manila City, Las Pinas City, Malabon City, Marikina City, Muntinlupa City, Mandaluyong City, Caloocan City, Valenzuela City, Taguig City, Navotas City, Pasay City, Pasig City, San Juan City, Pateros City, Quezon City and Paranaque City | 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM5:00 PM to 8:00 PM | Not Applicable |
Vehicles Exempted in Coding Hours System
According to MMDA Coding Hours System, there are several vehicle types that are exempted from the coding scheme. It means that such vehicles can pass on all major roads at anytime without any restriction. Here I provide the list of exempted vehicles as under:
- Ambulances
- Fire Trucks
- Fuel Trucks
- Garbage Trucks
- Motorcycles [Not exempted in Makati City]
- Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs) including Tricycles
- Transport Network Vehicle Services
- Marked Government Vehicles
- Marked Media Vehicles
- Motor Vehicles Carrying Essential or Perishable Goods (e.g. fruits, meat, milk, etc.)
- LTO Certified Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)
- LTO Certified Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)
Who Can Apply for Coding Hours Exemption
Several vehicles get automatic exemption from number coding hours system in the Philippines. In addition, the MMDA provides request-based exemption to specific categories of people and vehicles, let me explain it further.
- People with Disabilities with a Valid PWD ID
- On Duty Doctors for Medical Emergencies On-the-Go
- Individual Media Person with a Valid Media ID Card
- School Owned Buses and Vans Operating for Students Transport Services
- Company Owned Buses Operating for Employees Transport Services Only
How a Doctor Can Apply for Coding Hours Exemption?
The Doctor can apply for coding hours exemption by submitting a Letter of Request and documents required to prove the eligibility and need to passing their vehicle during coding hours.
If you are a doctor who works in ambulances and medical emergency vehicles, you can apply for coding hours exemption by submitting a request letter to MMDA with following documents.
- Doctor Degree/Diploma Certificate (M.D. or equivalent).
- Professional License Copy (obtained from PRC)
- Ambulance/Emergency Vehicle Registration and License Copies
- Other Supporting Documents
In order to obtain the Professional License to practice as a Doctor in the Philippines, the doctor must submit their M.D. Degree/Diploma Certificate, Government ID, Residency Proof, NBI Clearance and other key documents.
The NBI Clearance is also required for a foreign doctor to get the professional license to do medical practice in the Philippines. If you don’t have it, you can learn How to Apply for NBI Clearance Online Here and obtain your NBI Clearance from the NBI Authority.
What If I Drive My Car on a Restricted Road during Coding Hours?
If you drive your car on a restricted road during coding hours, you will be charged with the coding violation fine of ₱300 to ₱500 for each act of violation. The minimum violation fine is ₱300 and ₱500 is charged for repeated violations.
The number coding violation fine amount may differ from one city to the other, still the fine amount remains between ₱300 and ₱500. You can check the coding violations and pay the fines online at MMDA website.
Summary
The number coding hours system is designed with a purpose to reduce excess traffic on major roads during peak hours. The MMDA has applied coding hours from Monday to Friday i.e. working days only. The coding hours don’t apply on weekends and public holidays.
The school, medical and perishable goods vehicles are already exempted from coding hours system in the Philippines. Except Makati City, the motorcycles are also exempted from coding hours system in all cities in Metro Manila.
The MMDA provides coding window hours between morning and evening coding hours sessions. The coding restrictions are not applicable during window hours. The Makati City does not have coding window hours.
So, this is how the coding hours system works in the Philippines to reduce excess traffic and manage to keep the roads safer for everyone.
