It has been two years since the coding scheme was implemented due to the plight of the Covid-19 pandemic. In the first week of December, the MMDA (Metro Manila Development Authority) resumed the number coding scheme along the roads of Metro Manila. This is inlined with the afternoon rush hour and the upcoming holiday season. So here is a guide in preparation for the anticipated present hunting.
An altered coding scheme perfect for holidays
The number coding scheme was suspended after the Covid-19 pandemic limited public transportation for almost two years.
The presence of coding schemes hinders shopping sprees for the holidays, but this specific limitation makes it adjustable and still gives ample time to shop. Codings will also be suspended during Holidays, this means one might still have the chance to have a last-minute purchase - a huge number of people will do the same as a compromise which is still risky during this pandemic time.
Another good factor of this is that for those who are living in a condo in Manila, travel time is not a problem at all. Going to shopping malls before coding time is a free way to do the gift buying, just make sure to finish all the buying just before the 5 PM mark to get rid of being stuck for quite some time.
All you need to know about the altered coding system
This time the MMDA reimposes the policy, but in an altered version. Coding will still follow the regular rule which is on a weekday, 1-2 on Mondays, 3-4 on Tuesdays, 5-6 on Wednesdays, 7-8 on Thursdays, and 9-0 on Fridays. The only difference is that it is only applied for private vehicles and will only run from 5 PM to 8 PM; thus the “afternoon rush hour” term was coined. Also, the coding scheme will not be implemented during Holidays.
This is different compared to the pre-pandemic time where codings were imposed for almost a day and public utility vehicles were covered.
Get rid of the holiday rush despite the coding scheme
There are ways to get away with these coding systems - after all, Christmas is Christmas! Aside from bonding with families and friends, It is also the best time for gift-giving.
The ideal way of getting rid of the burden of the holiday rush is by planning ahead of time. It is also an advantage to plan ahead so that one can think of the best gift and think of something grand yet thoughtful. It might be something comfortable for condo living, or an aesthetic piece that is perfect to include in someone’s condo design. The sky’s a limit if someone decides to plan ahead - no holiday rush, no substandard gift.
Best time to shop for presents
The best time to shop for presents is definitely not within the coding schedule. Although PUVs like buses or taxis or jeepneys are around, admit it, having a car gives an efficient shopping experience.
Since coding is just around the afternoon rush, perhaps shopping early in the morning (depends on the mall, of course) is the best time. Not only because of the coding but also there is a probability that just a small volume of shoppers are present.
Luckily to those living in a condo in Manila, where malls are everywhere, traveling from point to point seems not to be a problem at all! A 20-minute drive back and forth offers more time for shopping galore and beating the coding time ahead.
Quezon city is known to be a well-developed city which means the number of shopping malls in the area is massive. Living within the city gives an array of options on where to shop this coming holiday season. Madison Place, a condo in Quezon City, is just the right place for heavy shopping duties. Just a minute away from the residence is the Araneta Center where numerous shopping malls are located. This ready for occupancy condo also has light-filled units with large floor plans, which are ideal for large families, offers business spaces on the ground floor which is also a good choice for gift shopping.
Another best option is by shopping online. Shop within the comforts of condo living and still find some good choices - or perhaps more choices than going to a physical store.
Tips to get rid of the coding scheme while shopping for gifts
Go out early
One may choose another date to shop, but what if it is the only vacant time to do such errands? Going out early can avoid not only the coding scheme but also the heavy load of people shopping especially in rush hours. Not only that, arriving early means more choices to choose from. Imagine going late and a lot of people also do the same, the tendency is that items will become in demand which means higher competition, no one wants that!
For those who are living somewhere close to such establishments but on a coding trip, getting out early might also be a good option. Shopping will take more time, because of the short trip from home to malls.
Tennyson Heights, a condo in Manila, is just an example of a residence close to shopping centers like Gaisano Tower mall, Emerald Circle, QQ Mall Quiapo, and Isetan which is just a few minutes drive away. With its easy access to every shopping center in town, the holiday rush will never be an issue.
Finalize that list
Since there is a coding scheme that is at stake, it would be better to finalize that list so that once in the action of buying items, it would be quick and fast. There are also instances where not having a list may lead to unnecessary buying, so better yet think of the items that are needed to be bought prior to going into the store.
Separate purchases
What if the schedule doesn’t match and the only day that is available for such a task is a single day - which happens to be a coding trip as well? One thing to do is to separate and divide doing the task. This is a managerial task that needs careful planning and thinking. For example, the first week is for specific items that need to be purchased, in the second week only huge items for condo design are to be bought, and so on. In this way, both coding problems and the fear of going into crowded places are easily solved.
Overspending leads to over-time shopping
As mentioned, having a list will lessen, if not eradicate, the tendency to buy inessential items. Buying unnecessary items will just pile up the bill. Most importantly, it leads to over-time shopping due to the numerous stopovers; thus consuming time which is intended for important matters - like going home since coding time is approaching! So to prevent being caught by the enforcers due to coding violations, just stick to the list and don’t overshop.
Vista Residences is the condominium arm of the country’s largest homebuilder, Vista Land & Lifescapes, Inc. that offers ready for occupancy and pre-selling condominium projects in Manila, Makati, Mandaluyong, Quezon City, Ortigas, Baguio, Cebu, and CDO that are strategically located within major cities, in close proximity to premium universities, transit-oriented locations, and developed business districts.
For more information on Vista Residences, email info@vistaresidences.com.ph, follow @VistaResidencesOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, or call the Marketing Office at 0999 886 4262 / 0917 582 5167.
