Odd-even exemptions, NCAP complaints to be reviewed

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May 30, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is facing numerous requests for exemptions, as well as objections, to its policies that are either being implemented or are lined up for enforcement for the upcoming overhaul of EDSA.

During a press briefing by the Presidential Communications Office yesterday, MMDA’s Traffic Discipline Office head Victor Ma. Nuñez said there is a need to study all requests, noting that granting all of them could “defeat the purpose” of mitigating heavy traffic along EDSA during its rehabilitation that could last between 18 to 24 months.

Earlier, Senior Citizens party-list Rep. Rodolfo Ordanes wrote a letter to the MMDA and the Department of Transportation to exempt elderly motorists from the odd-even scheme, considering the hassle of changing medical appointments and the challenges that come with their age.

Nuñez said the agency has yet to receive the request.

The odd-even scheme would be implemented on a month-long dry run starting June 16.

Bike lanes

The MMDA has also yet to reconcile differing views from motorcycle groups about assigning either an exclusive motorcycle lane or a lane shared by bicycles and motorcycles at the outermost lane in both directions of EDSA.

Nuñez said that 1-Rider Party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez’s group doesn’t want transport service and delivery riders to be stuck in one lane as it will affect their livelihood.

Motorcycle Philippines Federation led by director Atoy Sta. Cruz is in favor of putting up a designated exclusive motorcycle lane, he noted.

NCAP phishing sites

Meanwhile, Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center officer-in-charge Renato Paraiso said that the agency is conducting a probe on the phishing website and online link falsely claiming to be a portal for verifying NCAP violations.

In a social media advisory earlier, the MMDA clarified that the circulating link labeled “May Violation Ba?” (Is there a Violation?) is not official and advised motorists against using the website and entering their vehicle plate numbers.

The agency also advised the public to remain vigilant, noting that the official NCAP website is still being finalized and is expected to be launched next week. — Rhodina Villanueva, Rainier Allan Ronda