Chalssea Kate Echegoyen

Vehicles utilize the three zipper lanes on the eastbound side in addition to the seven lanes on the westbound side, of Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City early Monday morning, April 1, 2024, as millions of people return to work after the four-day Holy Week break. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Traffic Returns

Katrina Domingo

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177485561306320260330080312_5bd43bedadf999b5a1fa825896ddafe30faea1431c1b520ed1b1b412c27d3197.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Vehicles utilize the three zipper lanes on the eastbound side in addition to the seven lanes on the westbound side, of Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City early Monday morning, April 1, 2024, as millions of people return to work after the four-day Holy Week break. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will lift the number coding scheme and allow buses along EDSA starting 12 noon of Holy Wednesday, as authorities prepare for the expected surge of travelers leaving Metro Manila.</p><p>MMDA Swift Traffic Action Group Commander Edison “Bong” Nebrija said the temporary suspension will run until 12 noon of the following Monday to accommodate increased mobility during the long holiday. </p><p>“Holy Wednesday puwede na silang dumaan diyan at ililift na rin po ‘yung number coding tanghali ng Wednesday hanggang tanghali ng Monday,” said Nebrija.</p><p>Despite the eased traffic measures, the MMDA will remain on heightened alert. A total of 2,476 personnel will be deployed around major transport hubs, including bus terminals, airports, and seaports, where heavy foot and vehicle traffic is expected.</p><p>Authorities have also began clearing operations around terminals to ensure smoother passenger flow.</p><p>“Nagsimula na kaming maglinis sa mga periphery ng mga bus terminal. Isa sa mga priority natin ‘yan para kapag dumagsa ‘yung mga pasahero ay maayos na ‘yung lugar,” said Nebrija. </p><p>He added that illegal parking, obstructions, and unauthorized operators have already been removed from key areas. </p><p>“Wala na pong mga naka-illegally park, wala na pong mga naka obstruct at wala rin po ‘yung nagbabantay na mga colorum diyan,” he added.</p><p>While the usual Holy Week exodus has started, Nebrija noted that the number of motorists leaving the capital appears lower compared to previous years, possibly due to rising fuel prices.</p><p>“Hindi pa siya ganoon karami kumpara sa mga nakaraang taon. During this time, makikita mo na dumadagsa ‘yung mga tao, nag-leave na sila para tuloy-tuloy na ‘yung bakasyon, however hindi pa ganoon ka-significant,” he said.</p><p>“Nonetheless, we will not put down our guards. No absent, no day off, no leave policy this coming April 1 and 2 to include April 6 para saluhin sila pagbalik,” he added.</p><p>During the holiday, MMDA tow trucks will also adopt a more lenient approach by bringing stalled vehicles to the nearest gasoline stations instead of impounding them immediately.</p><p>However, motorists are reminded that all CCTV cameras across Metro Manila will remain operational to monitor traffic violations and road incidents.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>FUEL SUPPLY WARNING</strong></div><div><strong></strong><strong><br/></strong></div><p>Meanwhile, the MMDA urged motorists planning long trips to provinces to ensure fuel availability at their destinations to avoid inconvenience.</p><p>“Paalala sa kanila, kung bibiyahe sila sa malalayong lugar, sa mga probinsya, kung pupuwede po ay siguraduhin nila na may available stock ng gasolina doon nang sa ganoon ay makapagpagasolina sila at makabalik sa Metro Manila,” Nebrija said.</p><p>He warned that limited fuel supply in some areas could leave travelers stranded.</p><p>“Baka limited lang po yung mga available na fuel na ibibigay sa kanila, baka mamaya mabitin sila o tumirik sa kalsada,” he said.</p><p>The reminder comes as several gasoline stations in parts of Metro Manila have reportedly halted selling certain fuel products due to soaring prices, with diesel breaching the P100-per-liter mark and gasoline and kerosene nearing similar levels.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/3/30/number-of-closed-gas-stations-drops-to-365-as-some-reopen-1348">Number of closed gas stations drops to 365 as some reopen</a></div><p>Aside from managing traffic, the MMDA will also monitor activities in 13 churches across Metro Manila, particularly routes commonly used by devotees performing religious observances such as penitential walks.</p><p>“Tututukan din po namin ‘yung 13 churches in Metro Manila… Mayroon din pong mga kababayan natin na nagpepenitensya, nagpapanata diyan po dadaan yan sa Commonwealth hanggang Groto,” he said. </p><p>Every year, hundreds of thousands of Filipinos travel to their home provinces during Holy Week, although authorities expect the spike in fuel prices to temper this year’s turnout.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED STORIES</strong></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/30/no-holy-week-carmageddon-fuel-crisis-takes-bite-off-holy-week-travel-exodus-0856">No Holy Week &#x27;carmageddon?&#x27; Fuel crisis takes bite off Holy Week travel exodus</a></div><div><a href="http://abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/29/ltfrb-intensifies-inspection-of-bus-puv-terminals-ahead-of-holy-week-exodus-0904">LTFRB intensifies inspection of bus, PUV terminals ahead of Holy Week exodus</a></div><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/J7N99cs7E5E?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will lift the number coding scheme and allow buses to along EDSA starting 12 noon of Holy Wednesday, as authorities prepare for the expected surge of travelers leaving Metro Manila.</p>

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will lift the number coding scheme and allow buses to along EDSA starting 12 noon of Holy Wednesday, as authorities prepare for the expected surge of travelers leaving Metro Manila.

MMDA to lift number coding, ease EDSA bus restrictions on Holy Week

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MMDA to lift number coding, ease EDSA bus restrictions on Holy Week

Katrina Domingo,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 30, 2026 03:35 PM PHT

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Holy Week

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