The City of Dagupan also implemented its own version of number coding scheme. It used to implement a private vehicle number coding system with coding hours from 8:00 AM–5:00 PM, Monday to Friday, under the Ordinance No. 2204-2020 during the COVID-19 public health emergency—but it has been officially lifted under Ordinance No. 2248-2022.
Note: Aa of writing, the City of Dagupan has no active number coding scheme. This means that as of today, private vehicles can freely use Dagupan roads without coding restrictions, unless a new ordinance is issued in the future.
What Was the Dagupan Coding Scheme Before?
To better understand the current coding situation in the City of Dagupan, you need context. Yes, the City Government of Dagupan introduced a number coding scheme under Ordinance No. 2204-2020 as a temporary traffic and mobility control measure during COVID-19. It wasn’t originally about traffic alone—it was about limiting movement to reduce virus transmission while keeping the economy running.
Who Implements Dagupan Coding?
The ordinance assigned enforcement to:
- Office of the City Mayor
- Public Order and Safety Office (POSO)
- With coordination from:
- Land Transportation Office (LTO)
- Philippine National Police (PNP)
- Other deputized task forces
So the enforcement of the ordinance doesn’t just.concern traffic enforcers—it was a multi-agency effort.
Dagupan Coding Hours (Before It Was Lifted)
The coding hours, before it was lifted, run everyday as scheduled:
- Days: Monday to Friday
- Time: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Dagupan Coding Schedule by Plate Number
It’s a lot like the Metro Manila’s Universal Vehicle Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) and uses the last digit of the plate number in scheduling the coding restrictions:
- 1 & 2 – Monday
- 3 & 4 – Tuesday
- 5 & 6 – Wednesday
- 7 & 8 – Thursday
- 9 & 0 – Friday
If your plate ended in those numbers, you could not pass through major roads during coding hours.
Coverage and Exemptions
The coding scheme in Dagupan, unlike the one implemented in Metro Manila, is not absolute. In fact, it only applies to selected roads, so you’d want to be clear about which ones are covered and which ones are not.
as clearly defined major thoroughfares in the central business district (CBD) as the primary coverage.
These included:
- A. B. Fernandez Avenue
- A. B. Fernandez East
- A. B. Fernandez West
- Perez Boulevard
- Burgos Street
- Burgos Extension
- M. H. del Pilar Street
- Entire stretch of Arellano–Bani
- Tapuac Road
The City Mayor was also authorized to add more roads classified as choke points or gridlocked areas.
Vehicles Covered by the Coding Scheme
The rule was simple.
It covers:
- Private cars
- SUVs
- Vans
- Trucks (with exceptions)
Some vehicles not automatically covered by the coding scheme include:
- Public utility vehicles (PUVs)
- Motorcycles and tricycles (regulated separately)
Exempted Vehicles
Aside from the vehicles that are not automatically covered, the ordinance also provided very broad exemptions, especially during the pandemic.
The exemptions automatically cover the following:
Automatically Exempt:
- Public utility vehicles (jeepneys, buses, etc.)
- Motorcycles and tricycles
- Ambulances and fire trucks (even private but properly marked)
- Police, military, and law enforcement vehicles
- Government vehicles with official plates
- Media vehicles with permanent markings
Emergency & Essential Use:
- Vehicles carrying patients or for medical emergencies
- Vehicles used by doctors in emergencies
- Funeral service vehicles
- Vehicles delivering relief goods
Delivery & Utility Vehicles:
- Food, water, and grocery delivery
- Fuel tankers
- Medicine and vaccine delivery
- Power, internet, and telecom service vehicles
- Construction supply delivery
Special Sectors & Workers:
- Bank armored vehicles
- Persons with disabilities (PWDs with ID)
- Company shuttles
- Privately owned trucks used in permitted industries
Workforce Exemptions (Very Broad):
Workers in essential sectors were allowed, including:
- Healthcare
- Manufacturing (food, medicine, PPE, etc.)
- Logistics and delivery
- Utilities (water, electricity, internet)
- Agriculture, fisheries, and food production
- BPO and export industries
- Banks, finance, and microfinance
- Construction (especially government projects)
- Retail (groceries, pharmacies, markets)
Note: If you had proof (ID, COE, permits), you were allowed to travel—even during coding.
Penalties for Violations (When It Was Active)
If you ignored the coding rules in Dagupan City while it was active, you’d have faced penalties as follows:
- 1st offense: ₱500
- 2nd offense: ₱1,000
- 3rd offense: ₱2,000
Note: You would have also received a Traffic Citation Ticket and an Ordinance Violation Receipt (OVR) if you violated the ordinance while it was in effect.
Current Status
Here’s an update: As of now, there are no recent official updates reinstating the Dagupan coding scheme, and Ordinance No. 2248-2022 remains in effect. Under Ordinance No. 2248-2022, the City Government of Dagupan has officially lifted the number coding scheme.
It was removed because:
- The city transitioned to Alert Level 1 (lowest restriction)
- Economic activity resumed
- More people returned to work and school
- The city needed unhampered mobility
In short, coding was no longer necessary at the time.
- There are currently no coding hours in Dagupan.
- You can drive any day, any time—no plate restrictions.
The City Government of Dagupan has not issued a new ordinance reimplementing number coding for private vehicles. However, since the original policy was tied to emergency conditions, the LGU still has the authority to reintroduce coding quickly if traffic congestion or public safety concerns require it.
Important Notes for Drivers
Just because the coding is lifted doesn’t mean it’s gone forever. The ordinance itself proves something important:
- Dagupan can re-implement coding anytime
- Especially during emergencies or heavy congestion
- The Mayor has authority to expand road coverage if needed
So don’t get complacent.
Practical Advice (If You Travel to Dagupan)
If you’re passing through or working in Dagupan, make sure to:
- Expect heavy traffic in CBD roads (same areas listed above)
- Plan routes around:
- A.B. Fernandez
- Perez Blvd
- Burgos area
- Stay updated with city announcements
- Don’t assume policies are permanent
After all, it can always still get re-implemented in the future, regardless of whether a global health crisis comes again or not.
Dagupan City Coding Map
For a detailed visual guide, you may check on this coding map:
Contact Information
If you want to quickly confirm if Dagupan coding is reimplemented, don’t guess—call the offices that actually enforce traffic rules on the ground.
Here’s who to call:
- Public Order and Safety Office (POSO)
- Dagupan City Police Office (PNP)
- Dagupan City Hall (General Inquiry)
- Emergency Option (If You’re Already on the Road)