11am–11pm mall hours being studied to help ease Metro Manila traffic
“After adjusting the work hours of local government units in Metro Manila to run from 7am to 4pm on weekdays, the Metro Manila Council (MMC) is now studying a proposal to shift the operating hours of malls in the capital region to a later time.
“According to MMC president Mayor Francis Zamora of San Juan City, the proposed mall operating schedule is from 11am to 11pm or from 10am to 11pm. This follows the hours usually implemented during Christmas holidays. The later mall hours could help alleviate traffic congestion in Metro Manila, Zamora said.
“What the proposal seems to assume, however, is that mallgoers and employees are private transport owners and can travel around the metro at any given time. Trains in Metro Manila don’t run 24/7, and while other modes of transport operate round the clock, there are fewer public utility vehicles on the road during off-peak hours. Road repairs are also typically scheduled during this time, so a moratorium on certain types of roadwork is imposed during Christmas holidays.
“Also, based on the 2023 TomTom Traffic Index, the average time to travel 10km in Metro Manila is still more than 20 minutes around 10pm, improving marginally at 11pm. Traffic flows fastest from 12am to 4am.”
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DPWH: Magallanes Flyover rehabilitation begins next week
“Is the temporary closure of the EDSA Kamuning Flyover drastically affecting your travel time? Take a deep breath: The rehabilitation of the Magallanes Flyover in Makati City is set to kick off in mid-May, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has announced.
“The retrofitting of the flyover will last for nine months, but no lane closures are scheduled immediately. ‘Ang una nating sisimulan ay paglalagay ng carbon fiber sheets and plates sa ilalim,’ said Loreta Malaluan, director of DPWH National Capital Region. ‘Kaya hindi po tayo agad magsasara sa ibabaw o sa mismong flyover.’
“Repairs on the actual lanes of Magallanes Flyover will begin once work on the EDSA Kamuning Flyover, which began on May 1, wraps up. The target deadline for the latter’s completion is October, but Malaluan said the DPWH is pushing for the project to be fast-tracked.
“And once work on the Magallanes Flyover lanes begins, light vehicles will still be allowed to use the structure, added Malaluan, since not all lanes will be closed. ‘Papalitan ang expansion joints lalo na dito sa southbound, yung nasa gitna na expansion joints. Ang isasara po natin, yung dalawang lane sa gitna. Pero ang outer lanes nila, hindi natin isasara.’
“Finally, Malaluan also shared that rehabilitation work on Guadalupe Bridge, another major bridge on EDSA, will kick off before the year ends.
“‘May papalitan na superstructure and substructure sa Guadalupe Bridge,’ she said. ‘Inaasahan natin base sa ibinigay sa aking report kasi ito ay Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) funded, ang Unified Project Management Office ang mag-implement nito.’
“Prior to the bridge rehab, a temporary detour bridge will be installed to allow light vehicles to pass through.”
A portion of Roxas Boulevard will now be car-free every Sunday
“According to a report by Manila Bulletin, the Manila City Council (MCC) has passed a city ordinance that bans all vehicles on a portion of Roxas Boulevard from 5am to 9am every Sunday. Specifically, the north- and southbound lanes from Padre Burgos Avenue to Quirino Avenue will be closed off to motorists.
“The MCC said: ‘The ordinance was practically patterned after the ‘car-free or carless days’ in certain metropolitan cities such as Paris, New York, Vancouver, etc. It was also tried in nearby cities such as Makati and Pasig.
“‘The filed draft ordinance was encouraged and supported by the members of the council. All of them are looking forward to experiencing a car-free Sunday in the City of Manila. This is also a way of letting people enjoy the natural beauty of the city, particularly the view of Manila Bay.’”
Roxas Boulevard car-free Sundays: Alternate routes for motorists
- Northbound motorists on Roxas Boulevard: Turn right onto Quirino Avenue and proceed to destination.
- Southbound vehicles on Roxas Boulevard: Turn left onto P. Burgos Avenue and proceed to destination.
- Vehicles coming from Jones, MacArthur, or Quezon Bridge: Go straight to Taft Avenue and proceed to destination.
- Vehicles coming from P. Burgos Avenue westbound intending to utilize southbound lane of Roxas Boulevard: Make full turn at roundtable straight to Maria Orosa Street, then turn right to Kalaw Avenue and proceed to destination.
- Vehicles coming from Kalaw Avenue westbound intending to use southbound lane of Roxas Boulevard: Turn left onto M.H. del Pilar Street and proceed to destination.
- Vehicles coming from of UN Avenue westbound intending to use southbound lane of Roxas Boulevard: Turn left onto M.H. del Pilar Street and proceed to destination.
- Trailer trucks and heavy vehicles coming from Delpan Bridge: Turn around at Anda Circle to northbound lane of Mel Lopez Boulevard, then take C3 to destination.
- Vehicles coming from Finance Road to P. Burgos Avenue then turn right onto Bonifacio Drive to destination.
- Vehicles coming from Quirino Avenue westbound: Turn left onto Roxas Boulevard southbound and proceed to destination.
The LTO has activated a text hotline where you can report illegal ‘wang-wang’ users
“Save the number: 0929 292 0865. This is the ‘Aksyon on the Spot’ hotline activated by the Land Transportation Office (LTO), and if you chance upon vehicles that are illegally using sirens and blinkers, the agency wants you to report the violator by sending a text message to the hotline.
“This is in line with Administrative Order No. 18 issued by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Entitled ‘Prohitibing government officials and personnel from using sirens, blinkers, and other similar signaling or flashing devices,’ it reiterates the strict implementation of the ‘wang-wang’ ban, particularly among public officials. The ban was never lifted to begin with, but you may have noticed the proliferation of vehicles using sirens and blinkers, not to mention escorted convoys barrelling through Metro Manila gridlock.
“AO No. 18 stresses that signaling or flashing devices may only be used ‘under exigent or emergency circumstances or situations or to ensure the expedient and safe passage of emergency responders.’ Only the following vehicles may use them:
- Official motor vehicles of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)
- Official motor vehicles of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)
- Official motor vehicles of the Philippine National Police (PNP)
- Fire trucks
- Hospital ambulances
- Other emergency vehicles
“Government officials and personnel are prohibited from using wang-wang on their vehicles, and the use of signals and blinkers on private vehicles is also illegal.
“‘Unauthorized and improper use of signaling or flashing devices by government officials and employees shall be dealt with in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations,’ reads the directive.
“Aside from illegal wang-wang users, other traffic violators and online scammers impersonating the LTO and sending fake traffic violation notices with phishing links may also be reported to the hotline. The LTO also announced that it will distribute ‘Akyon on the Spot’ stickers bearing a QR code that will provide motorists access to platforms where they can report violators or scammers and formally lodge complaints.”
What’s your coding day if your conduction plate ends with a letter?
“With so many cars sold every year, the LTO has to come up with a different combination for conduction plates and stickers. If you bought a car recently, you might have noticed that your conduction ‘number’ actually ends with a letter.
“That does pose a question for some: What will be your number coding day?
“We asked the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) what’s the score. They gave us a short, sweet, and simple answer: It’s the last digit before the letter. That’s it.
“In case you need a refresher on coding rules, here’s a quick rundown: It’s Monday for those with plates ending in 1 and 2, Tuesday for 3 and 4, Wednesday for 5 and 6, Thursday for 7 and 8, and Friday for 9 and 0. Number coding is enforced from 7am to 10am and 5pm to 8pm, while window hours are in effect from 10am to 5pm—at least in most cities and areas under MMDA jurisdiction. In Makati City, number coding is implemented from 7am to 7pm. You can check out our number coding guide here.”
