MANILA- At least 2 persons are required to be onboard a vehicle under the modified coding system, which the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is eyeing to implement by June.

MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia said the system aims to "maximize" the use of private vehicles after mayors of the capital unanimously agreed to recommend placing the region under a general community quarantine next month.

"Ang idea po natin dito is para ma-maximize natin ang labas ng lahat ng sasakyan at matulungan din natin yung lack of public transportation," Garcia said in a virtual press briefing.

(The idea here is to maximize the use of vehicles and to help with the lack of public transport.)

"If ever coding kayo, at gusto niyo gamitin yan (vehicle), baka puwede isabay niyo na yung kapamilya ninyo, anak ninyo, asawa ninyo. Mag-isang sasakyan na lang kayo," he added.

(If you're on coding and you want to use your vehicle, maybe you can travel with a family member.)

Under the modified scheme, vehicles that are on coding can traverse the roads of Metro Manila as long as there are at least 2 persons on board.

"Puwede natin ibalik ang coding pero may exemptions kasi. Imbes na hindi mo magagamit ang iyong sasakyan during coding day, papayagan na po natin ito basta at least 2 ang sakay," he said.

(We can bring back coding but there are exemptions. Instead of not being allowed to travel during coding day, you can do it as long as there are at least 2 passengers)

The current number coding scheme, which bars vehicles from major roads depending on the last number of your plate number, was temporarily suspended due to the community quarantine.

As for emergency doctors and other frontliners, Garcia said the MMDA understands their case but encouraged them to ferry another passenger to "maximize" the use of their vehicles.

"Hindi po talaga huhulihin kung frontliner ka, lalo na at nasa medical field at emergency," Garcia said.

(Frontliners, especially those in the medical field will not be apprehended.)

The MMDA in March suspended the number coding scheme when Metro Manila was placed under community quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic.