The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is preparing to implement its usual traffic-management plans for the Christmas season, with adjusted Metro Manila mall opening hours still being one of the primary measures on the agency’s list.
From November 18 to December 25, 2024, malls in Metro Manila will open at 11am.
“The closing of mall shopping hours will depend on the mall operators’ preference,” said Atty. Romando Artes, chairman of the MMDA. “But we encourage them to extend [evening operations] to give the public more time to do their errands and last-minute shopping.”
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The agency is also banning mall-wide sales in the lead-up to the holidays. Stores or outlets inside malls may implement weekday sales, but may not announce or advertise these to the public. For any sales or promotional events to be held at their establishment, mall operators must submit traffic management to the MMDA two weeks before the scheduled event.
In addition, shopping mall operators may only receive deliveries from 11pm to 5am, except for perishable goods such as food and ice.
Suspension of Metro Manila roadwork for the holidays
All road right-of-way activities in Metro Manila will also be suspended from November 18 to December 25. Such activities include reblocking, pipe laying, road upgrading, and other excavation work that may affect traffic flow. Exemptions include flagship government infrastructure projects, emergency leak repairs, flood interceptor catchment projects, and bridge repair and construction by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Finally, the MMDA will request the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to extend the operating hours of public transport—especially the EDSA Bus Carousel, the Light Rail Transit (LRT-1 and LRT-2), and the Metro Rail Transit (MRT-3)—to accommodate late-night commuters and mall employees.
According to the agency, 421,000 vehicles traverse EDSA daily as of September 2024. Of the 131 malls in Metro Manila, 29 are located along EDSA. “We have to implement remedial measures to reduce traffic congestion as vehicle volume in Metro Manila increases during the holidays,” Artes said.
