MMDA to begin Christmas traffic management scheme beginning Nov. 18

Metro Manila, Philippines — Metropolitan Manila authorities will begin the Christmas traffic management scheme on Nov. 18, initially with adjusted mall hours.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said malls will open at 11 a.m. – from the current 10 a.m. – until Christmas Day. Operators have the discretion on the closing time.

“We encourage them to extend to give the public more time to do their errands and last-minute shopping,” MMDA Chairman Don Artes said on Thursday, Oct. 16.

“We have to implement remedial measures to reduce traffic congestion as vehicle volume in Metro Manila increases during the holidays,” he said.

Traffic management plans for promotional events like mall sales should also be submitted by mall operators to the MMDA two weeks before the scheduled dates.

Mall-wide sales will be prohibited, the MMDA said, while the sale of select stores inside malls will be allowed as long as it is not advertised.

Mall deliveries, except perishable items, are limited from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.

The MMDA further said right-of-way excavation activities will be suspended from Nov. 18 to Christmas Day, Dec. 25.

It will also ask the Transportation Department to extend the operating hours of the EDSA Bus Carousel and train systems.

MMDA data show around 421,000 vehicles use EDSA daily.