MANILA, Philippines - The “number-coding scheme” of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority has not been suspended for Monday even as Malacañang had declared February 22 a special holiday for schools nationwide, an MMDA official clarified.

This was the clarification made by Aldwin Laroco of MMDA to ABS-CBN News on Sunday on the implementation of the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program in Metro Manila.

The scheme aims to reduce the number of vehicles in Metro Manila’s main thoroughfares by regulating vehicles based on the end number of the plate numbers. On Monday, vehicles with plate numbers ending in 1 and 2 are prohibited from traversing the main streets of Metro Manila during “rush hours”.

The commemoration of the 24th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution on February 22 will be a special holiday for all schools nationwide, the Office of the Press Secretary earlier announced.

Pursuant to Republic Act No. 9492, all holidays, except those which are religious in nature, are moved to the nearest Monday unless otherwise modified by law, order or proclamation, the OPS said in a press release.

In July last year, President Arroyo signed Proclamation No. 1841 declaring the regular holidays, special (non-working) days, and special holidays (for all schools) for the year 2010.

Under the proclamation, February 22, or the Monday nearest February 25, was declared a special holiday to serve as an "inspiration to all Filipinos everywhere as we continue to chart our collective course as a nation and as a people."

Meanwhile, offices in public and private institutions will still be open on the said date.

The country yearly celebrates the February 25, 1986 People Power revolution which restored basic liberties such as free speech, freedom of assembly and a free press after 14 years of Martial rule.