MANILA - Senior citizens are not exempted from the extended number-coding scheme being implemented in Metro Manila since November 2, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chief said Friday.

The statement was made after some senior citizens complained that the MMDA's refusal to exempt them from the number-coding scheme is a lack of recognition of the physical limitations of the elderly that hinder them from riding public transportation.

"Hindi namin sinasabi na bawal iyon. Tinatanong lang namin bakit nila kailangan iyon... Mahirap magbigay ng blanket exemptions. It has to be case to case," MMDA general manager Thomas Orbos said.

(We are not prohibiting senior citizens from being exempted. We are just asking for an explanation why they have to be exempted. We cannot give blanket exemptions. It has to be case to case.)

Senior citizens and other persons with special medical needs and conditions should present a medical certification to the MMDA to justify why they should be exempted from the policy, Orbos said.

"'Yung mga kailangan ng regular treatment tulad ng dialysis, o kung may kailangan silang puntahan na doktor, binibigyan namin 'yun," Orbos said.

(We provide exemptions for those who need to undergo regular treatment such as dialysis, or for those who need to frequently see a doctor.)

Orbos added that the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) has also recommended that not all doctors should be covered by the number coding scheme exemption.

"Naabuso yung prebiliheyong yan noong araw... 'Yung emblem na MD, hindi man lang yan authenticated na iniissue ng Medical Association," Orbos said.

(The privilege to be exempted has been abused before. The "MD" emblem is not something that has been authenticated and issued by the PMA.)

Less than one percent of the vehicles plying major thoroughfares will be exempted from the coding scheme, he said.

Among the vehicles that the law exempts from the number coding scheme are ambulances, firetrucks, police and military mobiles, diplomatic vehicles with diplomatic plates, vehicles with government plates, and vehicles delivering perishable goods.