By: Villamor C. Visaya Jr.
(Published in its print edition on May 3 – 9, 2025)
The traffic woes along the Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA), which motorists usually experience, will likely linger following the planned repair of the cramped road.
Yet, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) seeks to alleviate the chaos by having the odd-even scheme on EDSA. This will be implemented starting June 16, 2025, to manage traffic during the ongoing rehabilitation of the road.
The restrictions will be on vehicles with license plates ending in odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7, 9), which will be prohibited from using EDSA on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Other vehicles with plates ending in even numbers (0, 2, 4, 6, 8) will be restricted on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. There will be no restrictions on Sundays.
The odd-even scheme is a traffic management strategy. Its aim to reduce congestion during the EDSA rehabilitation, which is expected to last until 2027.
A toll-free access on Skyway Stage 3 was also hatched to encourage drivers to use alternative routes aside from having additional buses along the EDSA Busway to promote public transport use.
The MRT-3 operations to accommodate more passengers have also been increased.
Ride-hailing services, electric and hybrid cars, though, are exempted from the odd-even restrictions.
Implementing this scheme will be a move to improve the flow of vehicles and enhance commuter safety even with the planned repair of the road.#
