The Pasay City number coding scheme follows the MMDA’s Expanded Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP), so it also comes with a usable window period from 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM. The city’s number coding hours are from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM and from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Monday to Friday. Coding rules do not apply on weekends and holidays, and several major Pasay City roads are exempt—giving drivers alternative routes to avoid penalties and heavy traffic.
If you’ve ever been stuck in traffic along EDSA, well, number coding exists to help spread out vehicles on the road so the traffic flows better. In other words, with the expanded UVVRP already in place, this traffic is already better than it would have been without number coding restrictions.
Pasay City Number Coding Schedule
Driving in Pasay City is often necessary because it connects key destinations like the airport, business hubs, and major highways, making it a central transit point for both work and travel. However, traffic here is typically heavy and fast-paced, especially near major roads like EDSA and during peak hours often causing significant congestion. With the number coding system (under Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA)) in place, the congestion during peak hours is reduced, which means you get faster travel times, less stress, and more predictable trips if you plan around it.
If you are driving in and around Pasay City, you need to remember:
Coding Days (based on plate number):
- Monday: 1 & 2
- Tuesday: 3 & 4
- Wednesday: 5 & 6
- Thursday: 7 & 8
- Friday: 9 & 0
Coding Hours:
- Morning: 7:00 AM – 10:00 AM
- Evening: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Window Hours (Coding Break ): 10:01 AM – 4:59 PM
No Coding:
- Saturdays
- Sundays
- Holidays
Note: If your plate number matches the restricted plate number for the day, don’t drive during peak hours—or make sure to check for and use exempt routes.
If you have to run errands or travel between cities mid-day, Pasay City actually allows you to do that even during your coding days. Just make sure to plan your routes and avoid getting flagged.
Roads Covered by Number Coding
Take note that Pasay City does not publish a long street-by-street list of roads covered by the number coding restrictions because it follows the MMDA rule that coding applies to all major/national roads, except for clearly defined exemptions. But, in an attempt to make a simpler guide, here’s a list of roads you can be wary of or just simply avoid when you’re driving with a coded vehicle:
1. Major Roads
These are the primary roads in Pasay where number coding is actively enforced:
- EDSA (Epifanio delos Santos Avenue)
- Roxas Boulevard
- Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard (Macapagal Ave.)
These roads are high-traffic corridors, so expect strict enforcement and checkpoints, especially during peak hours.
2. Other National Roads Within Pasay
Because Pasay follows the MMDA UVVRP, coding also applies to all national and major thoroughfares inside the city, including:
- Taft Avenue (R-2 Road)
- Gil Puyat Avenue (Buendia) (except specific exempt portions)
- Aurora Boulevard (Pasay section)
- Andrews Avenue (Nichols area, depending on segment)
- Harrison Street (major segments)
The rule of thumb is: If it’s a main highway, arterial road, or part of the MMDA radial/circumferential network, it is covered by coding unless explicitly exempted.
3. MMDA-Covered Road Network in Pasay
These broader road systems automatically apply within Pasay:
Radial Roads (R-roads)
- R-1: Roxas Boulevard
- R-2: Taft Avenue
- R-3: Osmeña Highway (Pasay end/Nichols interchange area)
Circumferential Roads
- C-4: EDSA
These are part of Metro Manila’s backbone road system—so coding is always enforced here.
Coding-Exempt Roads
While this isn’t an exhaustive list, here are some of the Pasay City’s official exceptions—these roads are not covered by number coding:
- Ninoy Aquino Avenue
- MIA Road
- Domestic Road
- Sales Road
- Portions of Airport Road
- Portions of Gil Puyat (Buendia)
- Most internal/residential roads
Note: These exemptions are crucial because they serve as alternate routes during coding hours, especially near NAIA.
Vehicles Exempt from Coding
Also, do take note that not all vehicles are affected. These are automatically exempt:
- Motorcycles
- Ambulances, fire trucks, police vehicles
- Government and official media vehicles
- Military vehicles on official duty
- Emergency vehicles used by doctors
If you drive one of these, you’re free to travel anytime.
Penalties
Violating Pasay’s number coding rules can cost you ₱300–₱500 per offense. While it may sound small—repeated violations add up fast, especially for daily commuters. This could also affect your license renewal, so it’s best to be careful about it anyway.
So, always drive smart, follow the schedule, use the window hours wisely, and take advantage of exempt roads—you won’t just avoid violations, you’ll move through Pasay faster and with less stress.