Transport group leaders earlier assailed local traffic bureaus for imposing exorbitant fines and conflicting traffic regulations which, they said, sow confusion on the streets and further deplete their dwindling daily take home pays.

With the unabated increase in the cost of petroleum products, drivers of public utility vehicles (PUV) complained of huge losses with the varying sets of traffic regulations in the metropolis.

However, MMDA Director for Special Operations Ramon Santiago defended the enforcement of a modified UVVRP in key cities and municipalities of Metro Manila.

He said the modified UVVRP would enable the MMDA and local traffic personnel to control and regulate traffic flow in key routes during critical times of the day especially during rush hours.

"For me it would be better if we implement the scheme on specific thoroughfares at specific time of the day. This way the vehicles would not be banned totally on the streets,’’ Santiago said.

At present, private and public utility vehicles are banned from the streets on certain days depending on the last digit of their license plates.

However, vehicles prohibited on the streets for the day may travel during the window hour between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Metro Manila except in some localities like Makati City.

Santiago said some local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila have clamored for the permanent lifting of the number coding scheme in their areas.

He cited the case of the municipality of Navotas where local officials insist that the traffic scheme is not applicable in their locality largely due to the geographical location of the territory.

"Take for instance in Navotas, they told us that the scheme is not applicable in their area since they are located at the corner and there’s no major thoroughfare there.’’

Santiago said the MMDA is also contemplating on enforcing the traffic scheme on major roads and highways where motorists may have the option of utilizing alternate routes.

Jayson San Jose, a crew of a fastfood chain and who travels from Marilao, Bulacan to Quezon City, said suspending the UVVRP would force him to leave for work earlier than usual.

He said traffic congestion is horrendous in large areas of the metropolis during Saturdays when the UVVRP is suspended.

"I hope the MMDA considers their plan to scrap the UVVRP. People will tell you that the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages when the number coding scheme is in effect,’’ San Jose said.

The MMDA has temporarily lifted the implementation of the UVVRP this summer break from April 3 to June 2 after surveys showed a 30 percent dip in the number of vehicles on the streets.

Only the Makati City Traffic Bureau has continuously enforced the UVVRP apparently due to the large volume of vehicles in its central business district.

Santiago said Makati City has been left with no choice but to implement the number coding scheme even if it does not want to because of the large number of vehicles plying the streets daily even during the summer vacation.