THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is eyeing giving incentives to motorists who will take up biking through an exemption from the number coding scheme.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino on Sunday said the move is just one of the ways to encourage motorists to take up biking, which according to him, is not only energy-saving but also a good form of exercise.

“Nakapag-exercise ka na, nakabawas na sa pollution, magkaka-pass ka pa [It’s not only good form of exercise and pollution-free but you could also be exempted from the coding scheme],” Tolentino told dzBB radio.

He said that under the program, motorists would be given a one-day exemption from the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction (UVVR) Scheme commonly known as number coding scheme for every 30 hours of biking.

He further explained that a 30-hour per week biking, a motorist can be exempted from the number coding scheme for a day.

“Kung magbisikleta ka for a week, 30 hours, matse-check ng constable natin . . . bibigyan ka namin ng one-day pass para sa coding exemption [If you take bicycle for 30 hours a week, our MMDA constables can check it and you will be given one day exemption from the coding scheme],” Tolentino said.

The MMDA has been implementing the UVVR Scheme, which bars vehicles from main roads from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., depending on the last digit of vehicle’s plate number.

Vehicles with plate numbers ending in 1 and 2 are prohibited from major thoroughfares during Mondays; 3 and 4 on Tuesdays; 5 and 6 on Wednesdays; 7 and 8 on Thursdays; and 9 and 0 on Fridays.

Meanwhile, the MMDA is set to deploy ‘Santa Claus-like’ traffic enforcers in time for the Christmas holiday.

Tolentino said the ‘Santa Claus-like’ constables will not only help in easing traffic condition along major thoroughfares but will also entertain motorists who might feel bored during heavy traffic.